NTSB CAROL · Event
Event MIA04CA048
Registry · N77KK
FAA Aircraft Registry record.
Make / Model
PIPER PA-23-250
Year of manufacture
1980 · 24 years old at event
Engine
LYCOMING TIO-540-C1A (250 hp)
Seats / Engines
6 seats · 2 engines
Last airworthiness date
20080105
ADS-B equipped
Yes — Mode-S AA6799
Registrant of record
MENSCH AVIATION LLC
Source: FAA Aircraft Registry (releasable master file).
Aircraft involved
Probable cause & findings
The failure of the pilot to maintain clearance with bushed resulting in in-flight contact and susequent dynamic roll-over.
Factual narrative
On January 23, 2004, about 0500 eastern standard time, a Robinson R44, N77KK, listed with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) as "Registration Pending", rolled over while hover taxiing at the Vero Beach Municipal Airport, Vero Beach, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight. The heliocopter was substantially damaged and the private-rated pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. The pilot stated he went out to warm up the helicopter about 0500, and while hover taxiing north to reposition the helicopter for a planned flight at 0730, the left skid contacted a hedge bush row and the helicopter rolled onto its left side. He further stated there was no mechanical failure or malfunction. His biennial flight review expired February 28, 2003. The pilot stated he went out to warm-up the helicopter about 0500, and while hover taxiing north to reposition the helicopter for a planned flight at 0730, the left skid contacted a hedge bush row and the helicopter rolled onto its left side. He further stated there was no mechanical failure or malfunction. His biennial flight review expired February 28, 2003. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12
Verbatim from NTSB's published report. Source file
NTSB_2004_MIA04CA048.txt.
Findings + structured fields enriched from FAA avall.mdb.
Full investigation docket on
data.ntsb.gov ↗.
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