Robinson Helicopter R44 accident near Destin, Florida, May 19, 2012
On May 19, 2012 at about 8:40 pm local time, a Robinson Helicopter R44, registered N444WT, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Destin, Florida (Destin airport). It was an other work-use flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 3 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The partial loss of engine power due to a stuck (open) exhaust valve in the No. 5 cylinder. Contributing to the accident was the operator’s failure to follow the engine manufacturer’s directives concerning cooling of the engine after flight.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 19, 2012 · about 8:40 pm local time
- Place
- Destin, Florida · Destin · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 3 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Robinson Helicopter R44 · all R44s on the register
- Registration
- N444WT · registry record · serial 0895
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Other work-use flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The helicopter reached about 200 feet above ground level in the initial climb when the pilot noticed that the engine needle in the dual tachometer (engine/main rotor rpm) had "spiked" and then remained "at the top of the gauge." The pilot turned the helicopter around to return to the airport, and, during the turn, the low rotor rpm warning alarm sounded. The pilot responded by lowering the collective control and increasing throttle but then determined that an airport landing could not be completed because the helicopter had already lost altitude. The pilot selected a forced landing area in a sand pit and responded to another low rotor rpm alarm by again lowering the collective. She attempted to cushion the landing with the available rotor rpm, but the helicopter landed hard, and the main rotor blades severed the tailboom. Examination of the helicopter revealed that the engine had a stuck (open) number 5 exhaust valve caused by buildup of oil carbon deposits. This is an issue with the Robinson Helicopters if the engine is not cooled down properly after flight. Air tour operations seem to be prone to carbon buildup mainly due to quick multiple shutdowns. The operator has established a postflight cool down procedure to prevent further problems. On January 19, 1988, Textron Lycoming published Service Letter No. L197A, Recommendations to Avoid Valve Sticking. The guidance offered included, "Rapid engine cool down from low power altitude changes, low power landing approach and/or engine shutdown too soon after landing or ground runs should be avoided."
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 (partial) during initial climb defining event
- Off-field or emergency landing during emergency descent
- Autorotation Hard landing
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Engine (reciprocating) › Recip eng cyl section › Damaged/degraded
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › Terrain › Sloped/uneven › Effect on operation
- factor Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Engine (reciprocating) › (general) › Incorrect use/operation
- factor Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Use of policy/procedure › Flt operations/dispatcher
Pilot
- Certificate: flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: instructor: helicopter; instructor: instrument helicopter; instrument: helicopter; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 433 hours in all; 143 in this make and model; 22 in the last 90 days; 12 in the last 30 days; 336 as pilot in command; 59 on instruments
- Last flight review: April 17, 2012
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1,668 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, April 12, 2012
- Maximum gross weight: 2,400 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming VO-540 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: KDTS Destin FL at 8:40 pm
- Destination: KDTS Destin FL
- Runway 14, 5,001 ft by 100 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 090° at 9 knots, gusting 16
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 84°F (29°C), dew point 55°F (13°C)
- Altimeter: 29.96 inHg
- Observation at 8:53 pm from DTS, 5 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight 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.