Robinson Helicopter R44 accident near Charlotte, NC
On November 22, 2022, a Robinson Helicopter R44 (helicopter) was involved in an accident near Charlotte, NC. 2 people died. Damage to the aircraft: substantial.
- Date
- November 22, 2022
- Place
- Charlotte, NC
- Aircraft
- Robinson Helicopter R44 · Helicopter
- Injuries
- 2 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Substantial
- Position
- 35.154°N, 80.893°W
- NTSB ID
- 20221122106348
Official records · ERA23FA070
- Public docket: reports, statements and exhibits from the investigation
Air traffic control records
- NTSB Memorandum Of Record - Audio File: Document (PDF), on ntsb.gov
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHTOn November 22, 2022, at 1157 eastern standard time, a Robinson Helicopter R44, N7094J, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident at Charlotte, North Carolina. The commercial pilot and one passenger were fatally injured. The helicopter was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 aerial observation flight. The purpose of the flight was to provide video training for the WBTV staff meteorologist over a simulated news scene. Radar, automatic dependent surveillance - broadcast (ADS-B) data, and surveillance video revealed that the helicopter departed the WBTV heliport at 1150 and proceeded southbound for about 5 minutes until the flight was over Interstate 77 (I-77). The pilot then initiated a series of left, 360° turns over I-77. During the third turn, the helicopter entered a rapid descent and impacted a grassy area adjacent to the southbound lanes of I-77. The pilot was in contact with Charlotte (CLT) air traffic control tower at the time; however, a review of the communication recordings did not reveal any calls of distress. Communications were recorded on the local helicopter common frequency (123.025 MHz) and were forwarded to the NTSB investigator-in-charge (IIC). A review of the audio revealed that the pilot appeared to call out, “Three’s going down Sky Three’s going down” before the helicopter impacting the ground. Several witnesses provided statements after the accident. One witness reported that there was something strange with the sound of the rotors before the accident. A few seconds later, the helicopter made
Probable cause
The inadequate inspections of the forward left control rod end attachment hardware to the stationary swashplate by the pilot and by maintenance personnel, resulting in an eventual loosening and backing out of the hardware and subsequent loss of helicopter control.
More accidents in NC
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Browse: North Carolina · 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.
