Robinson R44 accident near La Belle, Florida, October 15, 2009
On October 15, 2009 at about 9:51 pm local time, a Robinson R44 (helicopter), registered N3038W, was substantially damaged in an accident during maneuvering (low-alt flying) near La Belle, Florida. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured and 3 people had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The loss of main rotor rpm due to the failure of one or more of the drive belts for undetermined reasons.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- October 15, 2009 · about 9:51 pm local time
- Place
- La Belle, Florida · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured and 3 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Robinson R44 · all R44s on the register
- Registration
- N3038W · registry record · serial 1732
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that he was conducting a flight at a low altitude and speed when he heard a light tapping sound followed by the low rotor rpm warning horn. He attempted to simultaneously initiate an autorotation and maintain forward speed to reach a clearing. The tail boom and tail rotor struck trees, and the pilot lost directional control of the helicopter. The helicopter touched down in the clearing, spun about 180 degrees to the right, and rolled onto its left side. A postaccident examination revealed that one of the rotor drive belts was separated and that each of the remaining three belts was frayed and partially displaced from at least one of its respective sheaves. According to a representative for the helicopter manufacturer, the fraying was typical of a drive belt that was displaced from the sheave while the engine was running. The fraying could be caused by the belt being too loose, by abrupt maneuvering of the helicopter, or by the helicopter striking the ground when the engine was running. The representative also stated that when a drive belt starts to fail, it tends to make a repetitive noise similar to that reported by the pilot, and that drive belt failure could result in low rotor rpm. The reason(s) for the drive belt failures could not be determined and maintenance records were not available during the investigation.
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
- Abrupt maneuver during maneuvering (low-alt flying)
- Loss of engine power (partial) during maneuvering (low-alt flying) defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during maneuvering (low-alt flying)
- Off-field or emergency landing during maneuvering (low-alt flying)
The NTSB's findings
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › Object/animal/substance › Tree(s) › Effect on equipment
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft propeller/rotor › Main rotor drive › (general) › Damaged/degraded
- cause Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot, private
- Ratings: single-engine land; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 3,000 hours in all; 721 in this make and model; 25 in the last 90 days; 10 in the last 30 days; 3,000 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: June 29, 2009
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 721 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, July 19, 2009
- Maximum gross weight: 2,500 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-540 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: La Belle FL at 9:30 pm
- Destination: La Belle FL
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 260° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: a few clouds at 3,500 ft
- Temperature: 86°F (30°C), dew point 72°F (22°C)
- Altimeter: 29.82 inHg
- Observation at 8:53 pm from RSW, 10 miles away
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.