N518SJ is a 2006 Robinson Helicopter R44 II. It is a rotorcraft with 4 seats, powered by a Lycoming IO-540-AE1A5 rated at 260 horsepower. The registration is active, with the registrant based in Alpine, TX. Its standard airworthiness certificate was issued in Oct 2006. It has been registered to its current owner since May 2017. This page also carries 1 NTSB event.
- 20 years old
2017
2006
That's everything on file so far — TailWiki checks the FAA registry daily and adds new entries as N518SJ's record changes.
The helicopter pilot and three passengers were circling over rural terrain at an altitude of 150 feet above ground level and approximately 219 pounds overweight for the flight conditions when the pilot slowed to 10 knots with a tailwind. The helicopter began to lose main rotor rpm and the low-rotor aural warning sounded. The pilot lowered the collective in an attempt to maintain rotor rpm, but there was insufficient altitude to recover. The helicopter hit the ground with the tail rotor first and the body of the helicopter landed hard and skidded forward, crushing the left skid. The main rotors flexed downward during impact and severed the tailboom. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical deficiencies, and that the accident would likely not have happened if he had turned into a headwind.
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