NTSB CAROL · Event
Event NYC07CA236
Registry · N3184T
FAA Aircraft Registry record.
Make / Model
ROBINSON HELICOPTER R44 II
Year of manufacture
2006 · 1 years old at event
TCDS
H11NM · ROBINSON HELICOPTER CO
Engine
LYCOMING IO-540-AE1A5 (260 hp)
Seats / Engines
4 seats · 1 engine
Last airworthiness date
20061214
ADS-B equipped
Yes — Mode-S A3677F
Registrant of record
METROPLEX FLIGHT SERVICES LLC
Source: FAA Aircraft Registry (releasable master file).
Aircraft involved
Probable cause & findings
The pilot's failure to maintain control of the helicopter.
Factual narrative
According to the student pilot, while preparing for his first solo flight in the Robinson R44 II, he began the sprag clutch check and "split the needles," and then released the throttle to proceed with the checklist. The governor then "kicked in", the rpm increased to 102 percent, and the helicopter began to spin on the pavement. The pilot-side skid snagged a crack on the pavement, collapsed, and the rotor and tail boom then struck the ground. The student pilot stated he never applied, unlocked, or released the collective. Examination of the flight controls by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector did not reveal any abnormalities. While student pilot was preparing for his first solo flight in the Robinson R44 II, he began the sprag clutch check and "split the needles," then released the throttle to proceed with the checklist. The governor then "kicked in", the rpm increased to 102 percent, and the helicopter began to spin on the pavement. The pilot-side skid snagged a crack on the pavement, collapsed, and the rotor and tail boom then struck the ground. The student pilot stated he never applied, unlocked, or released the collective. Examination of the flight controls by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector did not reveal any abnormalities. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12
Verbatim from NTSB's published report. Source file
NTSB_2007_NYC07CA236.txt.
Findings + structured fields enriched from FAA avall.mdb.
Full investigation docket on
data.ntsb.gov ↗.
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