Robinson R44 accident near Tonopah, NV
On August 21, 2009, a Robinson R44 (helicopter) was involved in an accident near Tonopah, NV. 3 people were seriously injured. Damage to the aircraft: substantial.
- Date
- August 21, 2009
- Place
- Tonopah, NV
- Aircraft
- Robinson R44 · Helicopter
- Injuries
- 0 fatal, 3 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Substantial
- Position
- 38.118°N, 117.716°W
- NTSB ID
- 20090821X92524
Official records · WPR09LA411
- Public docket: reports, statements and exhibits from the investigation
NTSB summary
On August 21, 2009, about 1500 Pacific daylight time, a Robinson R44, N19DV, collided with terrain near Tonopah, Nevada. Dooley Aviation, Inc., was operating the helicopter under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91. The certificated private pilot and two passengers sustained serious injuries. The helicopter sustained substantial damage from impact forces. The cross-country personal flight departed Tonopah about 1400. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. One of the passengers had flown with the pilot on the previous flights during the day. He stated that they landed at Tonopah, topped off the fuel tanks, and picked up the other passenger. He noted a slower takeoff than the other flights, and estimated that they were airborne about an hour prior to the accident. The passenger said that they had just climbed over a hill, and made a low banking turn. They were maneuvering to get behind a car that was in the off-road rally race. He saw a steep cliff-like ridge ahead, and he was concerned about hitting it. As they cleared the ridge by about 20 feet, he heard the engine sound change pitch. The helicopter banked right, and slowed down. He heard the pilot say no several times as well as “come on,” and heard a horn sounding. Then the helicopter collided with the ground. A ground witness observed the helicopter flying over the race course, and observed it bank and then descend as if starting to make a landing. She did not observe the impact, but did observe a dust cloud. A Federal Aviation Administration inspec
Probable cause
The pilot’s failure to maneuver the helicopter within its performance capabilities while at a low altitude in mountainous terrain and in high density altitude conditions.
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Browse: Nevada · Robinson aircraft
Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
