Robinson Helicopter R44 accident near Morovis, Puerto Rico, November 5, 2009
On November 5, 2009 at about 6:10 pm local time, a Robinson Helicopter R44, registered N440M, was substantially damaged in an accident during landing near Morovis, Puerto Rico. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries; 3 others were unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot’s delayed attempt to go around.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- November 5, 2009 · about 6:10 pm local time
- Place
- Morovis, Puerto Rico · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries; 3 others were unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Robinson Helicopter R44 · all R44s on the register
- Registration
- N440M · no longer on the register · serial 0468
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
According to a Federal Aviation Administration inspector, the pilot flew the helicopter to one location (about 100 feet above sea level) where three adult passengers boarded, then flew to a landing pad at an elevation of 1,391 feet above sea level. According to the pilot, after one recognition pass, she began a "confined pinnacle approach." While on short final, the pilot decided to go around and added power, but the helicopter "did not respond accordingly." The low rotor rpm horn sounded and the low rotor rpm light illuminated. The pilot noted "no airspeed, no altitude," and continued to an "emergency landing." Upon touchdown, with the right skid partially off the landing pad, the helicopter rolled over to the left, resulting in damage to the rotor system and tail boom. The pilot also stated that the winds were calm and that the outside air temperature gauge indicated 24 degrees Centigrade. She further noted that there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the helicopter.
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
What happened, in order
- Roll over during landing defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Prop/rotor parameters › Not attained/maintained
- cause Personnel issues › Action/decision › Action › Delayed action › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; single-engine sea; instructor: airplane multi-engine; instructor: airplane single-engine; instrument: airplane; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 5,000 hours in all; 400 in this make and model; 75 in the last 90 days
- Last flight review: August 30, 2009
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 916 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, March 25, 2009
- Maximum gross weight: 2,500 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming 0-540 SERIES (piston); 0 hours total
- Operator: Universal Aviation Vertical Group
The flight
- Departed from: NONE Alta Vega PR at 5:10 pm
- Destination: NONE Morovis PR
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 75°F (24°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 | 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.