Robinson R44 accident near Beaufort, North Carolina, September 30, 2006
On September 30, 2006 at about 12:30 pm local time, a Robinson R44 (helicopter), registered N140JM, was substantially damaged in an accident near Beaufort, North Carolina. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 3 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 30, 2006 · about 12:30 pm local time
- Place
- Beaufort, North Carolina · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 3 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Robinson R44 · all R44s on the register
- Registration
- N140JM · no longer on the register · serial 1247
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot stated that his passengers were photographing a boat off the coast of Beaufort, North Carolina. He was following the boat at 50 knots at an altitude between 100 and 150 feet AGL, when he heard a "loud pop". He immediately checked all the engine instruments and noted all indications were normal. Shortly thereafter the "Low Rotor Warning Light" illuminated and the audio horn sounded. The engine and rotor rpm began to decrease. The pilot increased the throttle, but the engine did not respond. He lowered the collective pitch control and entered an autorotation to the water. Examination of the airframe, flight controls, engine assembly and accessories revealed no anomalies.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 10,000 hours in all; 520 in this make and model; 120 in the last 90 days; 10,000 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: February 1, 2005
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 600 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, January 1, 2006; 100 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,400 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-540-F1B5 (piston); 0 hours total
- Operator: North State Aviation LLC.
The flight
- Departed from: EWN New Bern NC at 12:00 pm
- Destination: EWN New Bern NC
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 070° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 59°F (15°C), dew point 54°F (12°C)
- Altimeter: 30.12 inHg
- Observation at 11:56 am from KMRH, 5 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 2 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.