N716JL is a Robinson Helicopter R44 II. It is a rotorcraft with 4 seats, powered by a Lycoming IO-540 SER rated at 300 horsepower. The registration is active, with the registrant based in Talkeetna, AK. Its standard airworthiness certificate was issued in Aug 2004. It has been registered to its current owner since May 2023. This page also carries 1 NTSB event.
2023
2004
That's everything on file so far — TailWiki checks the FAA registry daily and adds new entries as N716JL's record changes.
The pilot reported that he was conducting a passenger flight from a high elevation mountain heliport to the company's base airport. While the passengers were loading at the heliport, the weather deteriorated to 2 statute miles visibility in light snow and the ceiling was about 1000 ft. After the takeoff, the pilot was descending over a glacier and the helicopter unexpectedly skipped on the snow-covered surface of the glacier and it settled into deep snow. The helicopter subsequently rolled onto the right side and the main rotor blades, main rotor transmission and tail boom sustained substantial damage.
The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
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