Primary finding
Probable cause
The loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The commercial pilot was conducting a personal flight in the helicopter. The pilot reported that, while in cruise flight, the engine lost power. The pilot's attempts to restore power were unsuccessful, so he chose to conduct a forced landing to a field, during which the helicopter landed hard and then rolled onto its side. An examination of the wreckage did not determine a reason for the loss of engine power. The recovery of the helicopter was delayed, which prevented further examination of the wreckage.
Source record
Factual narrative
On June 21, 2015, about 1600 central daylight time, a Robinson R44 II helicopter, N305CG, landed hard and rolled on its side following a loss of engine power near Danville, Arkansas. The commercial pilot was not injured and the helicopter sustained substantial damage. The helicopter was registered to T R L Properties LLC and operated by a private individual under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the flight. The pilot reported that he was flying solo, just sightseeing the local area when the engine experienced a total loss of power. The pilot attempted to restore engine power but was unsuccessful, so he set up to land the helicopter in a nearby field. He maneuvered to avoid trees and reported that the helicopter landed on rough terrain and rolled on its side. The responding Federal Aviation Administration inspectors examined the helicopter and found substantial damage to the main rotor blades, tail boom, and fuselage. In addition, they were unable to conduct a thorough examination of the engine and were unable determine the reason for the loss of engine power. A delay in recovery of the helicopter prevented further examination of the wreckage.