N497SU - 2006 Robinson Helicopter Company R44 II Aircraft Registration
R442006 ROBINSON HELICOPTER COMPANY R44 II
Aircraft Description
N497SU is a 2006 Robinson Helicopter Company R44 II, a single-engine reciprocating (piston) aircraft registered to Southern Utah University in Cedar City, UT. This aircraft holds a standard airworthiness certificate issued by the Federal Aviation Administration on September 19, 2006. The registration certificate was issued on March 5, 2020. The registration is set to expire on March 31, 2030. Powered by a Lycoming IO-540-AE1A5 engine producing 260 horsepower, N497SU is. The aircraft's Mode S transponder code is A62BBC (hex), used for ADS-B identification and flight tracking. The FAA registry record for N497SU was last updated on October 13, 2023. AviatorDB monitors aircraft positions through ADS-B surveillance data and updates records as new position data is received.
The Robinson R-44 Raven revolutionized general aviation as the world's best-selling helicopter since 1999, making four-seat rotorcraft accessible to civilian operators at previously unattainable prices. First flown on March 31, 1990, it featured a single six-cylinder Lycoming piston engine powering a four-seat enclosed cabin with hydraulically-assisted flight controls. With a maximum speed of 135 mph and range of 350 nautical miles, the R-44 delivered turbine-like performance at piston operating costs. Robinson Helicopter Company of Torrance, California has produced over 6,800 units since 1993, establishing the aircraft as one of the most successful general aviation designs of the 21st century. AviatorDB tracks 1,463 Robinson Helicopter Company aircraft currently registered in the FAA database. The ICAO type designator for this aircraft model is R44.
AviatorDB has found no NTSB accident or incident reports involving N497SU. AviatorDB cross-references all FAA registration data with NTSB accident and incident reports, providing a comprehensive safety overview for every registered aircraft in the United States.
Registered Owner
Powerplant & Avionics
NTSB Accident History (1)
| Date | NTSB # | Damage | Highest Injury | Probable Cause |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 25, 2022 | WPR22LA267 | Substantial | Minor | The student pilot’s failure to maintain rotor rpm and airspeed and the flight instructor's inadequate remedial action to regain helicopter control during the straight-in autorotation which resulted in a hard landing. |
Additional Details
Data Source
Data provided by the US Federal Aviation Administration. View on FAA.gov
Last updated: 2026-05-01 01:32:20 UTC