Robinson R44 accident near San Felipe, Cl, January 21, 2010
On January 21, 2010 at about 10:10 pm local time, a Robinson R44 (helicopter), registered CCPSZ, was substantially damaged in an accident during enroute (cruise) near San Felipe. It was a personal flight under non-U.S. private rules. 1 person had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The NTSB has not yet published a probable cause for this accident. Investigations usually take one to two years; this page updates when the final report is released.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- January 21, 2010 · about 10:10 pm local time
- Place
- San Felipe, Chile · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Robinson R44 · all R44s on the register
- Registration
- CCPSZ · no longer on the register · serial 0200
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · non-U.S. private rules
The NTSB's narrative preliminary · quoted from the NTSB record
On January 21, 2010, at 2210 universal coordinated time, a Robinson R44 helicopter, Chilean registration CC-PSZ, experienced a loss of engine power while in cruise flight, and was substantially damaged during a subsequent forced landing, in San Felipe, Chile. The foreign certificated pilot was not injured and a passenger sustained minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight that departed Eulogio Sanchez (SCTB), Chile, destined for Las Tacas (SCQT), Chile. The flight was conducted under Chilean flight regulations. The accident investigation is under the jurisdiction of the Government of Chile. Further information may be obtained from: Directorate General of Civil Aeronautics Chile Elena Blanco # 1050 Providencia, Chile 7500000 Telephone: 011 56 02 410 7399 Fax: 011 56 02 410 7632 This report is for informational purposes only and contains only information obtained for or released by the Government of Chile.
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
- Loss of engine power (total) during enroute (cruise) defining event
- Off-field or emergency landing during emergency descent
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Maximum gross weight: 2,400 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-540-F1B5 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: SCTB Eulogio Sanchez
- Destination: SCQT Las Tacas
- Flight plan: not recorded
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Temperature: 0°F (-18°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight 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.