No fatalities
10 Jan 2023: ROBINSON HELICOPTER R44 — SMITH HELICOPTERS INC — Fowlerton, TX
On 10 Jan 2023, a ROBINSON HELICOPTER R44 operated by SMITH HELICOPTERS INC was involved in an aviation accident near Fowlerton, TX. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance with trees, which resulted in an uncontrollable spin due to tail rotor damage. This summary draws on records from NTSB; 12 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.
Probable cause
The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance with trees, which resulted in an uncontrollable spin due to tail rotor damage.
— NTSB Determination
Contributing factors
PilotAltitude — Not attained/maintainedContributed to outcome