Robinson R44 accident near Miami, FL
On April 3, 2013, a Robinson R44 (helicopter) was involved in an accident near Miami, FL. 2 people died. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.
- Date
- April 3, 2013
- Place
- Miami, FL
- Aircraft
- Robinson R44 · Helicopter
- Injuries
- 2 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Position
- 25.642°N, 80.388°W
- NTSB ID
- 20130403X65155
Official records · ERA13FA186
- Public docket: reports, statements and exhibits from the investigation
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHTOn April 3, 2013 about 1600 eastern daylight time, Robinson R44, N3101H, had components separate in flight and the helicopter impacted the ground shortly after takeoff from Kendall Tamiami Executive airport (TMB), Miami, Florida. The helicopter was registered to and operated by Bravo Helicopters, LLC, of Miami, Florida. The commercial pilot and pilot-rated mechanic incurred fatal injuries. The maintenance test flight was conducted under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the local flight that departed a few minutes before the accident. Multiple witnesses in the vicinity of the crash site reported hearing a loud "pop" noise and seeing parts separate from the helicopter as the helicopter flew overhead. Witnesses were also consistent in reporting that the empennage section of the helicopter then departed the aircraft before impact with the ground. One witness, standing about 20 feet from the impact, stated that the helicopter was inverted over the industrial buildings before it impacted two palm trees about 25 feet above ground level, a pickup truck, and then the ground. Another witness stated that the postcrash fire started after the pilot and passenger were extracted from the helicopter or about 5 minutes after the initial impact. He also stated that the helicopter was inverted over the industrial buildings. PERSONNEL INFORMATIONAccording to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) records, the pilot held a commercial pilot certificate with ratings for helicopter
Probable cause
The mechanic's failure to properly secure the pitch link hardware of one main rotor blade to the rotating swash plate, which resulted in the pitch link separating in flight and the pilot's subsequent loss of control. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s/owner's pressure on the mechanic to return the helicopter to revenue service.
More accidents in FL
- Grumman G-73T, Dec 19, 2005
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- Cessna 182B, Feb 7, 1982
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Browse: Florida · 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.
