N544SBRobinson Helicopter R44 · 2007

On February 19, 2022, at 1310 eastern standard time, a Robinson Helicopter R44, N544SB, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Miami Beach, Florida. The pilot and two passengers sustained serious injuries. The helicopter was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.

The pilot reported that, about an hour before the accident, he had departed a helipad in Marathon, Florida, and was returning along the coastline to North Perry Airport (HWO), Hollywood, Florida. As he flew overwater parallel to the South Miami Beach area, he experienced a sudden and violent left to right shaking and vibration, which was followed by a loss of engine power and a low rotor rpm warning light and horn.

The pilot attempted to increase engine power; but realized that the engine had lost power and initiated an autorotation. He maneuvered the helicopter toward an area of shallow water between two groups of people and the helicopter impacted water about 10 seconds after the vibration began. The pilot assisted his passengers in evacuating the helicopter, and they received additional assistance from beachgoers to reach the shore.

The pilot recalled that he was flying about 420 ft to 450 ft above ground level at an airspeed about 85-95 knots when the loss of engine power occurred. Before the loss of power, the helicopter had been functioning normally without issue.

A Federal Aviation Administration inspector examined the helicopter at the accident site and recovery facility. The fuselage, tail boom, and tail rotor sustained substantial damage. One main rotor blade remained intact with little damage and the other had fractured about mid-span.

The National Transportation Safety Board examined the helicopter at the recovery facility. Examination of the helicopter’s flight controls found no anomalies that would have prevented normal control or would have contributed to the vibration. The engine and its accessories displayed significant saltwater corrosion consistent with the engine being submerged in the ocean post-accident. Examination of the engine revealed no evidence of a catastrophic failure of the engine core or its accessories.

All cylinders were removed from the engine case and dissembled in order to examine the individual exhaust and intake valves, springs, and pistons. No anomalies were found within the cylinders, with exception of varying amounts of corrosion to the valves, cylinder walls, and pistons. The level of corrosion was consistent with the engine being submerged in saltwater.

According to maintenance records, four cylinders were replaced in the year preceding the accident. From March 1, 2021, through December 11, 2021, the Nos. 2, 4, and 6 cylinders (and a second time, the No. 2 cylinder) were removed, overhauled, and reinstalled.

According to the maintenance endorsements and interviews with the mechanic who performed the work, the cylinder replacements were due to low compression and stuck piston valve issues.

The pilot reported that he experienced a similar engine malfunction and vibration sensation while in hover flight months before the accident flight. He could not recall exactly when the event occurred; however, he believed it was around the time of one of the cylinder replacements. During this past event, he was able to perform an autorotation from a hover and landed without incident. After the event, a burnt intake valve was discovered. He recalled that a total of 4 intake valves were discovered burnt over the year before the accident.

The most recent 100-hour inspection occurred on August 1, 2021, at hour meter time of 1,509.5. The most recent annual inspection was completed on March 1, 2021.The hour meter at the time of the accident was 1,646.6.

According to the Robinson Helicopter R44 maintenance manual, Chapter 2, inspection intervals are required at 100 hours’ time in service or 12 calendar months; whichever occurs first.

The Textron Lycoming Service Instruction, No. 1425A, dated January 19th, 1988, Suggested Maintenance Procedures to Reduce the Possibility of Valve Sticking, stated in part:

Operating in high ambient temperatures, slow flight with reduced cooling, or high lead content of fuel, can promote deposit build-up reducing valve guide clearance and result in valve sticking. If any of the conditions are present or hesitation is observed, the service instruction recommended inspection and cleaning of the valves. Exposing the engine to sudden cool down, as in a rapid descent with the power reduced, or shutting the engine down before it has sufficiently cooled down can also induce valve sticking.