What happened
On June 19, 2024, at approximately 16:20 Pacific daylight time, a Robinson R44 II, registration N323TT, was destroyed in an accident near Bluestem, Washington. The flight was being operated under 14 CFR Part 91 for personal use. The aircraft was carrying the pilot and a pilot-rated passenger, both of whom sustained 2 fatal injuries.
According to information provided by the pilot's spouse, the pilot was returning the helicopter to Coeur d’Alene / Pappy Boyington Field (COE) in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, and had invited a friend, who was a certified airplane pilot, on the flight.
FAA ADS-B data tracked the helicopter's movements throughout the afternoon:
- The aircraft departed Boeing Field / King County International Airport (BFI) in Seattle, Washington, at 13:28.
- The helicopter arrived at Bowers Field Airport (ELN) in Ellensburg, Washington, at approximately 14:37, where the pilot purchased 14 gallons of fuel.
- The aircraft departed Ellensburg at 15:11, flying northeast at altitudes between 2,500 and 3,800 feet MSL with a groundspeed of approximately 100 knots.
- The final ADS-B data point recorded the helicopter at 3,050 feet MSL (approximately 740 feet AGL) with a groundspeed of 69 knots, located about 50 feet southwest of the crash site.
The investigation
Examination of the accident site showed the helicopter impacted open, hilly terrain. The aircraft came to rest in an upright position at an elevation of 2,182 feet MSL on a heading of approximately 086° magnetic.
Investigators found that the tail rotor assembly and a two-foot section of the tail cone had separated from the fuselage and were located roughly 340 feet southwest of the main wreckage. Debris from the aircraft was scattered along a path between the fuselage and the tail rotor. A post-accident fire primarily consumed the fuselage, while the engine, main rotor assembly, and the rest of the tail cone sustained thermal damage. The wreckage was moved to a secure facility for further study.