Robinson R-44-II accident near Miami, Florida, March 15, 2007
On March 15, 2007 at about 7:30 pm local time, a Robinson R-44-II (helicopter), registered N196DM, was substantially damaged in an accident near Miami, Florida. 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).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's failure to maintain sufficient rotor rpm during an autorotative landing, which resulted in a hard landing and separation of the tailboom.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- March 15, 2007 · about 7:30 pm local time
- Place
- Miami, Florida
- 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
- N196DM · registry record · serial 11329
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot stated that while manuevering, the low rotor rpm warning came on so he lowered to collective to regain rotor rpm and maintain altitude. He stated that suddenly there was a "huge vibration," no warnings on the instrument panel, and the vibration seemed to worsen. He noticed that the engine and rotor rpms were well above the "red zone." The pilot immediately closed the throttle and the rpm began to decrease. He then selected a field and made an autorotative landing to an uneven field. The tailboom separated during the landing. Post accident examination of the helicopter and its systems revealed no anomalies. The the engine was test run, and no evidence of precrash anomalies were noted.
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: rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 765 hours in all; 450 in this make and model
- Last flight review: October 1, 2005
- Medical certificate: Class 3
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 203 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, October 1, 2006
- Maximum gross weight: 2,500 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming IO-540 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: OPF Opa Locka FL at 7:00 pm
- Destination: OPF
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 160° at 11 knots, gusting 17
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 7,500 ft; a few clouds at 3,000 ft
- Temperature: 79°F (26°C), dew point 63°F (17°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 7:53 pm from MIA
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.