A Robinson R44 conducting a sightseeing flight at North Perry Airport crashed shortly after lifting into a hover on June 13, according to a preliminary report released by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).
The helicopter had just begun a hover when the pilot noticed the aircraft drifting left. The pilot attempted to correct the movement, but the helicopter suddenly rolled sharply to the right and control was lost.
The right skid then contacted the ground, causing the helicopter to exceed its critical roll angle and resulting in the aircraft tipping over. Video footage of the incident has also been released as investigators continue reviewing the sequence of events.
The NTSB preliminary report focuses on the circumstances leading up to the accident, while a full investigation will examine factors including pilot inputs, aircraft condition, and possible contributing causes.
No final determination has been made regarding what caused the loss of control. Further details are expected as the investigation progresses.
