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Location:
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New Roads, Louisiana
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Accident Number:
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CEN21LA385
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Date & Time:
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August 20, 2021, 03:40 Local
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Registration:
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N744RB
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Aircraft: ROBINSON HELICOPTER COMPANY R44 II
Aircraft Damage: Unknown
Defining Event: Loss of engine power (total) Injuries: 1 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal
Analysis
The pilot was conducting a night cross country flight in his single-engine helicopter to evaluate the progress of some construction projects. As he approached the landing area, he noticed some loose construction debris, so he flew past the site and turned around to approach from the opposite direction. Shortly thereafter, the engine began losing power. Unable to maintain level flight he conducted an emergency landing to a river. By the time he was rescued, about 11 hours after the accident, the helicopter had sunk and was not located despite an extensive search by local law enforcement. Given that the wreckage was not recovered, an examination of the engine to determine a reason for the loss of power could not be performed.
Probable Cause and Findings
The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be: A loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined due to a lack of available evidence.
Findings
Aircraft (general) - Unknown/Not determined
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Factual Information
History of Flight
Maneuvering-low-alt flying Loss of engine power (total) (Defining event)
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Pilot Information
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Certificate:
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Private
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Age:
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62,Male
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Airplane Rating(s):
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None
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Seat Occupied:
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Unknown
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Other Aircraft Rating(s):
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Helicopter
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Restraint Used:
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Instrument Rating(s):
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None
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Second Pilot Present:
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Instructor Rating(s):
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None
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Toxicology Performed:
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Medical Certification:
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BasicMed
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Last FAA Medical Exam:
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Occupational Pilot:
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No
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Last Flight Review or Equivalent:
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Flight Time:
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(Estimated)
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Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information
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Aircraft Make:
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ROBINSON HELICOPTER COMPANY
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Registration:
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N744RB
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Model/Series:
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R44 II
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Aircraft Category:
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Helicopter
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Year of Manufacture:
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Amateur Built:
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Airworthiness Certificate:
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Normal
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Serial Number:
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14390
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Landing Gear Type:
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Skid
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Seats:
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4
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Date/Type of Last Inspection:
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Certified Max Gross Wt.:
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Time Since Last Inspection:
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Engines:
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1
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Airframe Total Time:
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Engine Manufacturer:
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ELT:
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Engine Model/Series:
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Registered Owner:
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Rated Power:
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Operator:
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On file
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Operating Certificate(s) Held:
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None
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Meteorological Information and Flight Plan
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Conditions at Accident Site:
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Visual (VMC)
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Condition of Light:
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Night
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Observation Facility, Elevation:
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KHZR,40 ft msl
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Distance from Accident Site:
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6 Nautical Miles
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Observation Time:
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04:15 Local
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Direction from Accident Site:
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266°
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Lowest Cloud Condition:
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Clear
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Visibility
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10 miles
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Lowest Ceiling:
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None
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Visibility (RVR):
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Wind Speed/Gusts:
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/ Turbulence Type
Forecast/Actual:
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/
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Wind Direction:
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Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual:
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/
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Altimeter Setting:
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29.97 inches Hg
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Temperature/Dew Point:
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24°C / 24°C
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Precipitation and Obscuration:
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No Obscuration; No Precipitation
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Departure Point:
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Lafayette, LA (KLFT)
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Type of Flight Plan Filed:
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None
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Destination:
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Type of Clearance:
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None
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Departure Time:
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03:40 Local
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Type of Airspace:
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Wreckage and Impact Information
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Crew Injuries:
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1 None
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Aircraft Damage:
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Unknown
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Passenger Injuries:
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Aircraft Fire:
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None
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Ground Injuries:
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Aircraft Explosion:
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None
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Total Injuries:
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1 None
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Latitude, Longitude:
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30.72554,-91.353989(est)
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Administrative Information
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Investigator In Charge (IIC):
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Williams, David
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Additional Participating Persons:
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Michael Wilson; Federal Aviation Administration; Baton rouge, LA
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Original Publish Date:
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November 16, 2021 Investigation Class:
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4
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Note:
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The NTSB did not travel to the scene of this accident.
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Investigation Docket:
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https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=103751
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