NTSB WPR24LA251 — 2024-07-18 · Carlsbad, California, United States

Current FAA registration · N886JB

Make / Model: ROBINSON HELICOPTER R44
Engine: LYCOMING O-540-F1B5 (260 hp)
Seats / Engines: 4 seats · 1 engine
Last airworthiness date: 20190909
ADS-B equipped: Yes — Mode-S AC34E9

Source: FAA Aircraft Registry (releasable master file).

Aircraft involved

N886JB ROBINSON HELICOPTER R44 Minor

Probable cause & findings

The pilot’s failure to maintain lateral control of the helicopter while departing with a crosswind, which resulted in a dynamic rollover.

Factual narrative

The pilot of the helicopter reported that he was attempting to depart from a platform. The helicopter was oriented perpendicular to the prevailing wind and the rotor wash of a nearby helicopter. As the pilot raised collective to climb, the helicopter immediately rolled over to the right and impacted the asphalt. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the tailboom. The pilot reported there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12

NTSB Findings

FAA avdata. C = Cause, F = Factor.

— Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Lateral/bank control-Not attained/maintained
— Environmental issues-Conditions/weather/phenomena-Wind-Crosswind-Effect on operation
— Personnel issues-Task performance-Use of equip/info-Aircraft control-Pilot

Verbatim from NTSB's published report. Source file NTSB_2024_WPR24LA251.txt. Findings + structured fields enriched from FAA avall.mdb. Full investigation docket on data.ntsb.gov ↗.

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