No fatalities

14 Jun 2021: ROBINSON HELICOPTER COMPANY R44 II — Leading Edge Helicopters — Sylva, NC

Sylva, NC, United States

On 14 Jun 2021, a ROBINSON HELICOPTER COMPANY R44 II operated by Leading Edge Helicopters was involved in an aviation accident near Sylva, NC. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot’s intentional departure from the procedures published in the manufacturer’s flight training guide, and his subsequent loss of engine rpm, rotor rpm, and aircraft control. This summary draws on records from NTSB; 14 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

SourcesNTSBPrimary reportUpdated 1778583330Data APIEditorial standards

Probable cause

The pilot’s intentional departure from the procedures published in the manufacturer’s flight training guide, and his subsequent loss of engine rpm, rotor rpm, and aircraft control.

— NTSB Determination

Contributing factors

Incorrect use/operationInstructor/check pilot