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Robinson R44 Ground Accident at EBNM Aerodrome

4 minorly injured, BE

On October 8, 2017, a Robinson R44 was involved in an aviation accident near 4 minorly injured, BE. One person was killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot’s inability to properly neutralize the helicopter movement with the cyclic and pedals during the transition from the ground to a stabilized hover before the take-off. This summary draws on records from the Belgian Air Accident Investigation Unit (AAIU(Be)); 5 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe Belgian Air Accident Investigation Unit (AAIU(Be))Primary reportUpdated 2026-10-18Data APIEditorial standards

A Robinson R44 Raven I suffered substantial damage during a take-off at EBNM Aerodrome on 8 October 2017. The helicopter entered a rapid counter-clockwise rotation, causing the main rotor blades to strike the ground. Four occupants sustained light injuries.

Incident Overview and Classification On 8 October 2017 at 10:43 UTC, a Robinson Helicopters R44 Raven I was involved in an accident at the Airfield of Namur/Suarlée (EBNM). The occurrence was classified as an accident involving a loss of control on the ground (LOC-G). The helicopter sustained substantial damage, and the four persons on board were slightly injured and transported to a hospital. The investigation was conducted by the Belgian Air Accident Investigation Unit (AAIU) and resulted in a final report issued on 21 December 2018 under reference AAIU-2017-54. The operation was initially considered non-commercial by the pilot, but the investigation concluded it should have been conducted under commercial operation provisions.

Probable cause

The pilot’s inability to properly neutralize the helicopter movement with the cyclic and pedals during the transition from the ground to a stabilized hover before the take-off.

Related events

Same aircraft family

All Robinson R44 accidents →

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 8 Oct 2017 Robinson R44 accident near 4 minorly injured, BE?

A Robinson R44 Raven I suffered substantial damage during a take-off at EBNM Aerodrome on 8 October 2017. The helicopter entered a rapid counter-clockwise rotation, causing the main rotor blades to strike the ground. Four occupants sustained light injuries.

Were there any fatalities in the 8 Oct 2017 Robinson R44 accident?

The accident was fatal, resulting in 1 fatality.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 8 Oct 2017 involved a Robinson R44, at 4 minorly injured, BE.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The pilot’s inability to properly neutralize the helicopter movement with the cyclic and pedals during the transition from the ground to a stabilized hover before the take-off.

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