Robinson R44 accident near Greenwood, Indiana, August 13, 2005
On August 13, 2005 at about 4:15 pm local time, a Robinson R44 (helicopter), registered N534SE, was substantially damaged in an accident near Greenwood, Indiana (Greenwood Municipal airport). It was a business flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 3 people had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The inadequate remedial action during landing by the pilot.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 13, 2005 · about 4:15 pm local time
- Place
- Greenwood, Indiana · Greenwood Municipal · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 3 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Robinson R44 · all R44s on the register
- Registration
- N534SE · no longer on the register · serial 0534
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Business flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
A helicopter used for sightseeing contacted the ground with the forward tips of the skids while in forward motion. The pilot stated that he reduced collective, a pitch oscillation ensued, and the helicopter rolled over onto its side. Inspection of the helicopter revealed no anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.
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: flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: instructor: helicopter; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 716 hours in all; 106 in this make and model; 68 in the last 90 days; 22 in the last 30 days; 541 as pilot in command; 182 on instruments
- Last flight review: October 1, 2004
- Medical certificate: Class 2
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 554.4 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, November 1, 2004; 50.9 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: HFY Greenwood IN at 4:10 pm
- Destination: HFY
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: a few clouds at 8,000 ft
- Temperature: 84°F (29°C), dew point 72°F (22°C)
- Altimeter: 29.93 inHg
- Observation at 3:55 pm from IND
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.