Summary
On July 13, 2024, a Robinson Helicopter R44 II (N6960) was involved in an incident near Herriman, UT. All 2 people aboard were uninjured. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
On July 13, 2024, about 1035 mountain daylight time, a Robinson Helicopter R-44 II, N6960, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Herriman, Utah. The instructor and student pilot were not injured. The helicopter was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 141 instructional flight. The flight instructor reported that he and his student departed from a nearby airport to perform simulated engine out autorotation maneuvers at a practice area a few miles to the southwest. While enroute to the practice area, the instructor discussed the maneuver before the student pilot took control of the helicopter and entered a simulated autorotation.
This incident is documented in NTSB report WPR24LA241. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N6960.
Accident Details
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Current)
Analysis
On July 13, 2024, about 1035 mountain daylight time, a Robinson Helicopter R-44 II, N6960, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Herriman, Utah. The instructor and student pilot were not injured. The helicopter was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 141 instructional flight.
The flight instructor reported that he and his student departed from a nearby airport to perform simulated engine out autorotation maneuvers at a practice area a few miles to the southwest. While enroute to the practice area, the instructor discussed the maneuver before the student pilot took control of the helicopter and entered a simulated autorotation. With the student on the controls, the instructor lowered the collective, applied aft cyclic, right pedal, and rolled off the throttle to idle.
As the instructor scanned the instrument gauges, he saw that the engine oil warning light, auxiliary fuel pump caution light, and alternator caution light were illuminated. The instructor rolled the throttle control to increase engine power and realized the engine had lost power. The flight instructor took control of the helicopter and initiated a landing to an open area. The flight instructor stated that as the helicopter settled to the ground, it touched down hard with minimal forward airspeed in a skids level attitude before it came to an abrupt stop. Subsequently, the main rotor blades struck the tail boom, and the tail rotor assembly separated.
The helicopter was recovered to a secure location for further examination.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# WPR24LA241