Robinson R44 II accident near Minden, Nevada, February 7, 2006
On February 7, 2006 at about 4:02 pm local time, a Robinson R44 II (helicopter), registered N447SH, was substantially damaged in an accident near Minden, Nevada. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The divergence of the main rotor from its normal plane of rotation for an undetermined reason, which resulted in main rotor/tail boom contact and loss of control.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- February 7, 2006 · about 4:02 pm local time
- Place
- Minden, Nevada · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Robinson R44 II · all R44 IIs on the register
- Registration
- N447SH · no longer on the register · serial 10367
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
During a short-distance positioning flight, the helicopter descended uncontrolled into terrain about 5 minutes after departure. There was evidence that the main rotor diverged from its normal plane of rotation and severed the tailboom. Review of the pilot's personal flight logbooks showed that he had over 500 hours of flight time in helicopters. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident with light winds and clear sky conditions. Examination of the wreckage showed that the fuel control return fuel line B-nut was not threaded to the fuel control fitting assembly and was melted. Metallurgical examination could not ascertain whether or not the B-nut was secured to the fuel control prior to 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: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 1,035 hours in all; 70 in this make and model
- Last flight review: June 1, 2004
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 122.4 hours
- Last inspection: condition inspection, October 1, 2005
- Maximum gross weight: 2,500 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Textron Lycoming IO-540-AE1A5 (piston); 0 hours total
- Fire on the ground
The flight
- Departed from: MEV Minden NV at 3:55 pm
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 030° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 50°F (10°C), dew point 19°F (-7°C)
- Altimeter: 30.39 inHg
- Observation at 3:53 pm from TVL, 13 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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.