Robinson R44 accident near Del Rio, Texas, September 29, 2002
On September 29, 2002 at about 11:00 pm local time, a Robinson R44 (helicopter), registered N952LC, was substantially damaged in an accident near Del Rio, Texas. It was an aerial observation flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 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 pilot's failure to maintain control of the helicopter. A contributing factor was the reported gusting wind conditions.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 29, 2002 · about 11:00 pm local time
- Place
- Del Rio, Texas · 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
- N952LC · registry record · serial 0719
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Aerial observation flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The 1,243-hour commercial pilot was attempting to land the helicopter on a trailer following completion of a deer survey on a 10,000 acres ranch. The pilot reported that the wind was "strong, estimated at 20 to 25 knots." During his second attempt to land on the trailer, the helicopter "lurched" forward, rolled to the right, then fell off the trailer, landing on its left side. The nearest weather reporting station, located about 5 miles southwest of the accident site was reporting the winds from 130 degrees at 10 knots about 7 minutes after the accident.
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
Pilot
- Certificate: flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: instructor: helicopter; instrument: helicopter; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 1,243 hours in all; 115 in this make and model; 40 in the last 90 days; 37 in the last 30 days; 1,174 as pilot in command; 796 on instruments
- Last flight review: September 12, 2002
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1,144.6 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, May 9, 2002; 49.6 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,400 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-540-F1B5 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: NONE Del Rio TX at 9:30 pm
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 130° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 84°F (29°C), dew point 63°F (17°C)
- Altimeter: 29.89 inHg
- Observation at 10:53 pm from DRT, 5 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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.