No fatalities
31 Dec 2024: ROBINSON HELICOPTER R44 NO SERIES — Galveston Helicopter Adventures, LLC — Galveston, TX
On 31 Dec 2024, a ROBINSON HELICOPTER R44 NO SERIES operated by Galveston Helicopter Adventures, LLC was involved in an aviation accident near Galveston, TX. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot’s failure to maintain terrain clearance during the takeoff from the helipad in high and gusting wind conditions, that resulted in the right skid extension embedding in the artificial turf, and a subsequent dynamic rollover sequence. 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 terrain clearance during the takeoff from the helipad in high and gusting wind conditions, that resulted in the right skid extension embedding in the artificial turf, and a subsequent dynamic rollover sequence.
— NTSB Determination
Contributing factors
PilotAltitude — Not attained/maintainedEffect on equipmentDamaged/degraded