Accident Overview
On April 28, 2008, at approximately 1030 central daylight time, a single-engine Robinson R44 helicopter, registration N477SH, was destroyed by a post-crash fire after striking the ground during an attempted takeoff from a private field near Bartlett, Texas. The pilot, who owned and operated the helicopter, received minor injuries, while the single passenger sustained fatal injuries and succumbed to them approximately two weeks later. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time, and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight conducted under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The flight was originating at the time of the accident.
Pilot Account
In a written statement to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), the pilot reported that the helicopter lifted off to about 2 feet, but he perceived a malfunction. The helicopter then rotated 30 degrees to the left, and he set it back down on both skids. While in what he described as a malfunction mode, the pilot felt a jar in his left pedal or side. He believed the main rotor blade had struck the tail cone and disintegrated. Observing a fire in or above the engine area, the pilot instructed the passenger to exit. The passenger appeared to have trouble opening the left door. The pilot exited via the right side and walked around the front of the helicopter; by then, the passenger had gotten out and closed the door. The passenger then walked forward, turned, and moved past the helicopter's rear door into the fire. The pilot pulled the passenger away from the flames.
FAA and Investigative Findings
A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector who responded to the scene indicated that during the takeoff sequence, the helicopter's tail skid and rotor struck an embankment located just behind the landing area. Photographs from the site showed the main rotor blades exhibited a "coning" effect, the tail rotor drive shaft appeared intact before the fire, and the tail rotor blades showed evidence of a ground strike.
Aircraft History and Maintenance
The pilot purchased the helicopter seven days before the accident. The aircraft had previously been owned by a flight school and was disassembled for shipment while being offered for sale. The accident pilot reportedly bought the helicopter and had a local mechanic reassemble it. The condition at the time of sale was listed as "not airworthy" and was sold "as is." The maintenance records for the helicopter were not made available for the investigation.
Pilot Qualifications
A review of FAA Airmen records revealed that the pilot held a single-engine land private airplane certificate; no rotorcraft certificate was noted. The pilot's most recent FAA third-class medical certificate was issued on February 21, 2006.
Weather Conditions
At 1046, the automated weather observing system at Georgetown Municipal Airport (GTU), approximately 14 miles west of the accident site, reported wind from 290 degrees at 7 knots, visibility 10 miles, clear sky, temperature 63°F, dew point 36°F, and an altimeter setting of 30.28 inches of mercury.
The pilot did not submit a completed NTSB Form 6120.1, Pilot/Operator Accident Report, despite multiple attempts by investigators to contact him.