Robinson R44 accident near Lake Ozark, Missouri, May 17, 2003
On May 17, 2003, a Robinson R44 (helicopter), registered N227G, was substantially damaged in an accident near Lake Ozark, Missouri. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
An inability to maintain control of the helicopter during the wind gust and brief tail wind. The ravine, wind gust and tailwind were contributing factors to the accident.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 17, 2003
- Place
- Lake Ozark, Missouri · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Robinson R44 · all R44s on the register
- Registration
- N227G · registry record · serial 1277
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The helicopter was substantially damaged shortly after landing when an isolated wind gust, funneled by a ravine, caused the aircraft to become light on its skids. The subsequent weather vaning tendency, due to the tailwind orientation of the gust, resulted in a loss of control. The pilot reported that, shortly after touchdown, "the helicopter started to shake, then jump around and rotate (still on the skids) in a clockwise direction for about 30 degrees." He noted that once the helicopter rotated 30 degrees to the right, "it immediately started violent movements counterclockwise and proceeded to thrash around in all directions." He continued: "It felt as if the tail went up … with a rolling to the left side with a great deal of thrashing around." He noted that the helicopter came to rest back on its skids. The private heliport was adjacent to a wooded ravine. A witness to the accident reported that the helicopter had landed and was on the ground for 15 - 20 seconds when the wind came up from the bottom of the hill and the trees started blowing. He reported the helicopter tilted to the right and the main rotor struck the pavement. The helicopter then rotated to the left prior to coming to rest. The witness noted that the winds appeared to be calm both prior to, and after, the accident. A post-accident examination of the helicopter revealed no anomalies consistent with a pre-accident failure. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Rotorcraft Flying Handbook states: "As an engine turns the main rotor system in a counterclockwise direction, the helicopter fuselage turns clockwise." A tail rotor is often incorporated into helicopter designs in order to counteract this torque-induced turning tendency. The handbook notes that, as a helicopter becomes light on its skids, "torque tends to cause the nose to swing or yaw to the right." With a tailwind, the helicopter is affected by weathercock stability in which the helicopter attempts to weathervane into the wind. In the absence of an opposing pedal input, the helicopter may start an uncommanded turn either to the right or left depending upon the wind direction, according to the handbook.
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: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 3,455 hours in all; 25 in this make and model; 47 in the last 90 days; 16 in the last 30 days; 3,196 as pilot in command; 0 on instruments
- Last flight review: April 23, 2003
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 111 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, May 9, 2003; 22 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,400 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-540-F1B5 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: CGI Cape Girardeau MO at 10:30 pm
- Destination: PVT Lake Ozark MO
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 060° at 12 knots, gusting 19
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 800 ft
- Temperature: 63°F (17°C), dew point 57°F (14°C)
- Altimeter: 29.81 inHg
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
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.