Robinson Helicopter Company R44 II accident near Basin, MT
On September 15, 2024, a Robinson Helicopter Company R44 II (helicopter) was involved in an accident near Basin, MT. 3 people were seriously injured. Damage to the aircraft: substantial.
- Date
- September 15, 2024
- Place
- Basin, MT
- Aircraft
- Robinson Helicopter Company R44 II · Helicopter
- Injuries
- 0 fatal, 3 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Substantial
- Position
- 46.395°N, 112.288°W
- NTSB ID
- 20240917195135
Official records · WPR24LA307
- Public docket: reports, statements and exhibits from the investigation
NTSB summary
On September 15, 2024, about 1715 mountain daylight time, a Robinson Helicopter Company R44 II helicopter, N233WT, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Basin, Montana. The pilot and two passengers were seriously injured. The helicopter was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The helicopter pilot reported that he was departing from an off-airport landing zone at an elevation of 7,120 ft mean sea level (msl), which was surrounded by towering trees in mountainous terrain. His performance calculation indicated that the helicopter would be able to hover and take off at an altitude up to about 7,700 ft msl. Shortly after an uneventful startup and magneto check, the pilot slightly raised the collective lever and determined that the wind was coming from the north, which aligned with the pilot’s decision to depart to the north. After takeoff, as the helicopter reached the tree line, the pilot reported that he encountered mechanical turbulence and that the helicopter started to lose engine and rotor rpm. Subsequently, the helicopter started to settle and descend toward the ground. The pilot maneuvered and attempted to land the helicopter in a small clearing in a wooded area, but the helicopter continued its descent, struck trees, and impacted terrain. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to its fuselage and drive train. Data retrieved from a cockpit video recorder revealed that during the start-up sequence, from about 1708 to 1710, the pilot programed the GPS and corrected the altimeter setting to read 7,150
Probable cause
The pilot’s decision to continue performing a high-performance takeoff in a full throttle and low-rotor-rpm condition, which resulted in a loss of control and subsequent impact with terrain.
More accidents in MT
- Pilatus PC-12/45, Mar 22, 2009
- Beech D18S, Jul 5, 1987
- Cessna 550, Dec 18, 1992
- Beech V35B, Jun 24, 1982
- Cessna 182C, May 12, 2007
Browse: Montana · 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.
