Accident · 2019-04-29
What the record says
- Event date
- 2019-04-29
- Event type
- Accident
- Highest injury level
- Fatal injury
- Aircraft
- ROBINSON R44 (N808NV)
- Operating rule
- Part 135
- Operator
- NOVICTOR AVIATION LLC Operator named in NTSB report
- Operated by (per NTSB report)
- Novictor Aviation LLC
Probable cause
The helicopter’s encounter with a strong downdraft or outflow boundary while operating at a higher than recommended airspeed in turbulence which resulted in a low-G condition, excessive main rotor flapping, and an in-flight breakup when the main rotor contacted the cabin area.
Source: NTSB case WPR19FA123Flight crew
Certification and experience as recorded in the NTSB accident database for this event. The NTSB records these facts about the crew's flying history; GroundCheck shows them as filed, without names or identities.
| Role | Certificate | Instrument rating | Age | Medical | Flight hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pilot pilot flying | Flight instructor / Commercial | Helicopter | 28 | Class 2 (2018-10-03) | 540 total · 340 in this make/model · 470 as PIC · 135 last 90 days |
Facts as the NTSB records them — GroundCheck adds no judgement. Preliminary records may be revised as the investigation proceeds.