Robinson Helicopter Company R44 II accident near Bluestem, WA
On June 19, 2024, a Robinson Helicopter Company R44 II (helicopter) was involved in an accident near Bluestem, WA. 2 people died. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.
- Date
- June 19, 2024
- Place
- Bluestem, WA
- Aircraft
- Robinson Helicopter Company R44 II · Helicopter
- Injuries
- 2 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Position
- 47.547°N, 118.155°W
- NTSB ID
- 20240620194501
Official records · WPR24FA200
- Public docket: reports, statements and exhibits from the investigation
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHTOn June 19, 2024, about 1620 Pacific daylight time, a Robinson Helicopters R-44 II, N323TT, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Bluestem, Washington. The pilot and pilot-rated passenger were fatally injured. The helicopter was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. According to the owner, the helicopter was at a maintenance facility at Boeing Field/King County International Airport (BFI), Seattle, Washington, where it underwent an annual inspection and other maintenance. The owner asked the accident pilot to travel to BFI and return the helicopter to Coeur d’Alene/Pappy Boyington Field (COE), Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. The owner was also acquainted with the pilot-rated passenger but knew nothing about the details of the flight plan. According to an acquaintance and trainee of the accident pilot, he flew the pilot and the pilot-rated passenger to BFI in his personal airplane. Once at BFI, he observed the pilot conduct a preflight inspection of the helicopter, and he saw a fuel truck top off the helicopter. The acquaintance departed BFI after the helicopter departed. While en route, he saw the helicopter and observed no indication of a problem. The acquaintance did not follow the same flight route as the helicopter and did not stop at Bowers Field (ELN), Ellensburg, Washington. He described the return flight weather as high clouds and no visibility restrictions, and the temperature was comfortable, but the ride was a little choppy. FAA ADS-B data did not record the helicopter’s departure from BFI. ADS-B data,
Probable cause
The pilot’s failure to manage main rotor rpm during an autorotation, which resulted in a loss of helicopter control. Contributing to the accident was a loss of power for reasons that could not be determined.
More accidents in WA
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Browse: Washington · 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.
