N715SG Robinson Helicopter R44 accident

NTSB WPR25LA203 · 2025-07-06 · Park City, UT

Docket — crew, injuries and powerplant

Factual narrative

The pilot of a helicopter reported that, after performing a series of reconnaissance passes, followed by an out of ground effect hover power check, he decided to fly an approach to a mountain meadow. During the approach to landing, the pilot slowed the descent rate and realized the rotor rpm had decayed rapidly. The pilot lowered the collective and applied forward cyclic to increase airspeed to regain rotor rpm but was unable to recover. He then lowered the collective to enter an autorotation. Upon touchdown, the tail skid struck the ground, the helicopter pitched forward, and the main rotor impacted terrain. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the tailboom and the horizontal and vertical stabilizers. The pilot reported no mechanical issues with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operations.

Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain rotor rpm during an approach to landing in a mountainous area, which resulted in a collision with terrain. The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this accident.

Circumstances

Event type

Accident

Highest injury

None

Weather conditions

Visual Meteorological Cond

Light condition

Day

Sky condition

BKN

Ceiling (ft)

16000

Visibility (sm)

10

Wind direction

240

Wind speed (kt)

13

Temperature (F)

81

Distance from field

0.0

Airport elevation

8760

Aircraft

Sequence of events

Findings