NTSB Report Robinson Helicopter Crash Montana

NTSB Report # DFW08FA218
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Friday, August 29, 2008 in Ridgedale, MO
Aircraft: Robinson R44 II, registration: N41411
Injuries: 2 Fatal. 

On August 29, 2008, at approximately 1615 central standard time (CST), a Robinson R44 II, N41411, registered to and operated by Central Illinois Air Corp as a 14 CFR Part 91 flight, crashed during cruise flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a company flight plan had been filed. The helicopter was substantially damaged by the impact forces and post crash fire. The flight instructor and a private pilot, who were the only occupants, were fatally injured. The helicopter was on a new aircraft delivery flight from Torrance, California to the delivery destination in Mattoon, Illinois, and had departed the Shawnee Municipal Airport (KSNL) Shawnee, Oklahoma en route to an intermediate stop at the West Plains Municipal Airport (KUNO) West Plains, Missouri.

Two witnesses in a small boat approximately a half mile from the crash scene were watching the helicopter in normal cruise when the helicopter descended slightly and then suddenly nosed over in an attitude they demonstrated as approximately 60 degrees nose down. After the descending helicopter passed from their view behind a ridgeline they then heard a “boom” and saw a column of smoke.

The weather reported at the Boone County Airport (KHRO) Harrison, Arkansas at 1553 CST, 17 miles southeast of the accident site, was10 miles visibility with few clouds at 6,000 feet.

Aircraft maintenance documents at the manufacturer’s facility showed the helicopter had accumulated 4.0 hours total time, with an engine total time of 4.0 hours at the time the helicopter departed that facility on August 28, 2008. The initial airworthiness certificate had been issued on August 18, 2008.

The helicopter was recovered to Dawson Aircraft at Clinton, Arkansas, for continued investigation. NOTE: This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when the final report has been completed.

SOURCE: NTSB