Robinson R44 - II accident near Sedro Woolley, Washington, October 18, 2013
On October 18, 2013 at about 4:30 am local time, a 2013 Robinson R44 - II (helicopter), registered N414CC, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Sedro Woolley, Washington. It was a business flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved. The weather was instrument conditions (cloud, fog or low visibility).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The non-instrument rated pilot's inadvertent encounter with instrument meteorological conditions during initial climb and his improper decision to continue flight, which resulted in an in-flight impact with a tree and an emergency descent that resulted in a roll over on landing.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- October 18, 2013 · about 4:30 am local time
- Place
- Sedro Woolley, Washington · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- instrument conditions (cloud, fog or low visibility)
- Aircraft
- Robinson R44 - II II, built 2013 · all R44 - IIs on the register
- Registration
- N414CC · no longer on the register · serial 13401
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Business flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that prior to the night departure he checked the weather conditions for airports along his route of flight, each of which reported visual meteorological conditions existed. The pilot also observed that the night sky was clear during his preflight. After performing a maximum performance takeoff, and when about 65 feet above ground level, he encountered a thick layer of fog that had moved in during the 7-10 minute warm-up period and he lost all visual reference to the surrounding area. Having determined that he was able to keep the helicopter in a level attitude, the pilot decided to continue his ascent in an effort to get above the fog. A few seconds after initiating the ascent the helicopter impacted the top of a cedar tree. The pilot initiated an emergency descent and the helicopter sustained substantial damage after it impacted terrain and rolled over on its left side. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter 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
- VFR encounter with IMC during initial climb defining event
- Loss of visual reference during initial climb
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during maneuvering (low-alt flying)
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during emergency descent
- Roll over during landing
The NTSB's findings
- Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Ceiling/visibility/precip › Fog › Contributed to outcome
- Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Light condition › Dark › Contributed to outcome
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Planning/preparation › Weather planning › Pilot
- cause Personnel issues › Action/decision › Info processing/decision › Decision making/judgment › Pilot
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › Object/animal/substance › Tree(s) › Not specified
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 257 hours in all; 257 in this make and model; 94 in the last 90 days; 34 in the last 30 days; 159 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 278 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, August 10, 2013; 57 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,500 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming IO-540 (piston); 278 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: Sedro Woolley WA at 4:30 am
- Destination: BFI Seattle WA
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: night, dark
- Visibility: 0 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 100 ft; ovct
- Temperature: 46°F (8°C), dew point 46°F (8°C)
- Altimeter: 30.26 inHg
- Observation at 4:35 am from BVS, 9 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight 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.