Robinson R44 accident near Gorst, Washington, May 11, 2001
On May 11, 2001 at about 4:22 pm local time, a Robinson R44 (helicopter), registered N111PH, was destroyed in an accident near Gorst, Washington. It was an instructional flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people were killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
An abrupt application of the tail rotor/anti-torque pedal by an unknown pilot resulting in tail rotor contact with the tail boom. Tail rotor blades and empennage assembly separation, and trees were factors.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 11, 2001 · about 4:22 pm local time
- Place
- Gorst, Washington · map
- Type
- Accident · collision on the ground
- Injuries
- 2 people were killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Robinson R44 · all R44s on the register
- Registration
- N111PH · registry record · serial 0972
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
During an instructional flight, radar data identified the helicopter maneuvering in level flight before making a rapid descent below radar coverage. About 33 seconds later, the helicopter was picked up on radar in a climbing right turn, then a left turn before radar contact was lost at an altitude of 1,500 feet MSL (1,060 AGL). Witnesses in the area reported observing the helicopter make "some radical flight maneuvers" before it lost altitude. The witnesses reported that the helicopter then descended in a "nose down" or "wobbling" attitude while it spun to the ground. Prior to ground impact, several witnesses observed an object or objects separating from the helicopter before they lost site of it in the trees. Two of the witnesses reported seeing the tail rotors separate followed by the tail section. The helicopter then collided with trees. During the on-site and post-accident investigation, it was determined that the tail rotor blades made contact with the side of the tail boom. The empennage assembly was found about 180 feet away from the main wreckage. Both tail rotor blades separated from the tail rotor hub. Components that separated were due to overload. Although a pitch change link and teeter bumper stop were not recovered, metallurgical examination of the tail rotor pitch control assembly determined that they were attached at impact. There was no evidence that pitch change control was lost prior to the tail rotor blade striking the tail boom. No evidence of a mechanical failure or malfunction was found. Further investigation determined that abrupt application of full left pedal during a simulated power failure could result in excessive flapping of the tail rotor and possible tail rotor blade contact with the tail boom. At the time of the accident, the mean tail rotor blade angle was 21.5 degrees to 22.0 degrees. Approximately three months after the accident, the manufacturer issued a service bulletin to re-rig the tail rotor to reduce maximum blade angle at the left pedal stop and required the installation of a harder teeter bumper. The mean tail rotor blade angle was changed to 16.5 degrees to 17.0 degrees.
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: 11,200 hours in all; 252 in this make and model; 123 in the last 90 days; 65 in the last 30 days; 10,794 as pilot in command; 2,850 on instruments
- Last flight review: April 9, 2001
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
- Injury: fatal
Dual student
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 131 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, April 4, 2001; 27 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,400 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-540-F1B5 (piston); 0 hours total
- Fire on the ground
- Operator: Classic Helicopter Corp.
The flight
- Departed from: BFI Seattle WA at 4:05 pm
- Flight plan: none
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 060° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 55°F (13°C), dew point 41°F (5°C)
- Altimeter: 30.06 inHg
- Observation at 4:15 pm from PWT, 3 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 2 |
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.