Robinson Helicopter Company R44 II accident near Ciales, Puerto Rico, March 2, 2013
On March 2, 2013 at about 7:00 pm local time, a Robinson Helicopter Company R44 II, registered N834RC, was destroyed in an accident during enroute near Ciales, Puerto Rico. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A loss of main rotor rpm for reasons that could not be determined because an examination of the helicopter’s engine and associated components did not reveal any mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- March 2, 2013 · about 7:00 pm local time
- Place
- Ciales, Puerto Rico · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Robinson Helicopter Company R44 II
- Registration
- N834RC · no longer on the register · serial 11616
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
According to the pilot, the helicopter was in cruise flight about 700 feet above ground level when he perceived a loss of rotor rpm and entered autorotation. During the descent, the helicopter turned 180 degrees, struck power lines, and collided with terrain. A postcrash fire consumed a significant portion of the helicopter. A detailed examination of the remaining portions of the helicopter, its engine, and associated components revealed no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures 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
What happened, in order
- Miscellaneous/other during enroute defining event
- Autorotation Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain)
The NTSB's findings
- cause Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 239 hours in all; 73 in this make and model; 6 in the last 90 days; 6 in the last 30 days; 40 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: December 8, 2012
- Medical certificate: Class 3
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 743 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, October 1, 2012
- Maximum gross weight: 2,500 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming IO-540-AE1A5 (piston); 0 hours total
- Fire on the ground
The flight
- Departed from: Yauco PR at 6:20 pm
- Destination: TJIG San Juan PR
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 150° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: a few clouds at 30 ft
- Temperature: 84°F (29°C), dew point 70°F (21°C)
- Altimeter: 29.98 inHg
- Observation at 9:50 pm from TJPS, 20 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 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.