Robinson R-44 II accident near Willcox, Arizona, April 2, 2003
On April 2, 2003 at about 3:00 pm local time, a Robinson R-44 II (helicopter), registered N233TR, was substantially damaged in an accident near Willcox, Arizona. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
Preview. This page is not yet listed for search engines.
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The failure of the alternator belt which resulted in the failure of the main drive belt.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 4, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- April 2, 2003 · about 3:00 pm local time
- Place
- Willcox, Arizona · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Robinson R-44 II · all R-44 IIs on the register
- Registration
- N233TR · registry record · serial 10062
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot executed an emergency landing after experiencing a drive belt failure. During cruise flight, the alternator light illuminated and the ammeter showed a drop. The pilot turned off all nonessential electrical equipment. The pilot heard a "thump," which was followed by the smell of burnt rubber. About 15 seconds later, the clutch light illuminated and the pilot heard a "thud." The pilot lowered the collective and both lights continued to illuminate. The pilot then entered an autorotation and pulled the clutch circuit breaker. As the helicopter settled from the flare, it contacted a "clump" of dirt. The helicopter tipped forward, which bent the forward portion of the skids, and resulted in the main rotor striking the tail boom. No preimpact anomalies with either the airframe or engine were discovered. The main rotor drive belts were found in the drive compartment in a shredded condition. The alternator belt was not recovered. I
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; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 704 hours in all; 286 in this make and model; 65 in the last 90 days; 31 in the last 30 days; 654 as pilot in command; 10 on instruments
- Last flight review: October 15, 2001
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
Dual student
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 75 hours in all; 38 in this make and model; 19 in the last 90 days; 6 in the last 30 days; 22 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: November 20, 2002
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 10.5 hours
- Last inspection: approved inspection programme; 10.5 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,500 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming HIO-540 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: KTUS Tucson AZ at 2:00 pm
- Destination: KSTL St Louis MO
- Flight plan: none
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 180° at 13 knots, gusting 18
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 68°F (20°C), dew point 46°F (8°C)
- Altimeter: 29.94 inHg
- Observation at 2:55 pm from KTUS, 57 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
About this page
Everything above comes from the NTSB's public accident database: the narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words, and the coded tables behind its report (pilot, aircraft, flight, weather, injuries, sequence of events) are written out in plain English. Pilots' ages, home towns and medical details are left out on purpose. The docket at the NTSB holds the report as a PDF and the investigation's photographs and documents. This site never names pilots, passengers or anyone else involved. A preliminary report describes what is known soon after the event and can change; the final report, with the probable cause, usually follows one to two years later and this page is refreshed when it does. Case number LAX03LA123.