Robinson R44 accident near Pahrump, Nevada, April 5, 2008
On April 5, 2008 at about 10:47 pm local time, a Robinson R44 (helicopter), registered N510JM, was substantially damaged in an accident during approach near Pahrump, Nevada. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 3 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The loss of the engine to transmission drive train continuity while on approach for undetermined reasons. Contributing to the accident were lack of suitable terrain for a run-on landing, and cars on the race track.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- April 5, 2008 · about 10:47 pm local time
- Place
- Pahrump, Nevada · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 3 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Robinson R44 · all R44s on the register
- Registration
- N510JM · registry record · serial 1179
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
During an approach to landing near a race track, the pilot noticed that the clutch warning light became illuminated for about 7 seconds along with fluctuations in main rotor rpm for about 4 seconds. The pilot shortened his approach, and subsequently heard the low rotor rpm warning horn. He saw the low rotor rpm warning light, and immediately initiated an autorotation to the racetrack. Due to oncoming high speed vehicles on the track, the pilot extended his approach slightly beyond the track, and made a run-on landing to a level dirt area. The helicopter rolled over, and came to rest on its left side, resulting in substantial damage to the fuselage and the separation of the tail boom. Examination of the airframe, engine, clutch drive train components, and the associated warning systems revealed no anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.
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
What happened, in order
- Powerplant sys/comp malf/fail during approach defining event
- Autorotation Off-field or emergency landing
- Roll over during landing (flare/touchdown)
The NTSB's findings
- cause Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
- factor Environmental issues › Physical environment › Terrain › (general) › Not specified
- factor Environmental issues › Physical environment › Object/animal/substance › Ground vehicle › Not specified
Pilot
- Certificate: flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: instructor: helicopter; instrument: helicopter; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 218 hours in all; 43 in this make and model; 6 in the last 90 days; 2 in the last 30 days; 149 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: January 1, 2008
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, March 1, 2008
- Maximum gross weight: 2,400 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-540-F1B5 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: Pahrump NV
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 25,000 ft
- Temperature: 75°F (24°C), dew point 23°F (-5°C)
- Altimeter: 29.68 inHg
- Observation at 10:56 pm from LAS, 51 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 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.