Robinson R44 II, N611TH: Accident occurred October 06, 2018 near Salinas Municipal Airport (KSNS), Monterey County, California

The National Transportation Safety Board did not travel to the scene of this accident.

Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; San Jose, California

Aviation Accident Preliminary Report - National Transportation Safety Board: https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf

https://registry.faa.gov/N611TH

Location: Salinas, CA
Accident Number: WPR19LA002
Date & Time: 10/06/2018, 1437 PDT
Registration: N611TH
Aircraft: Robinson R44
Injuries: 1 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal 

On October 6, 2018, at 1437 Pacific daylight time, a Robinson Helicopter Company R44 II, N611TH, made a forced landing to an open plowed field following a loss of engine power on take off from Salinas Municipal Airport (SNS), Salinas, California. The pilot/owner operated the helicopter under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. The pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the tail boom. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local area flight, and no flight plan had been filed. The flight was originating at the time of the accident.

According to the pilot, shortly after takeoff, the engine experienced a partial loss of power. The pilot made a forced landing to an open field. During touchdown, the main rotor blades contacted and severed the aft tail rotor assembly from the tail boom.

The helicopter was recovered for further examination.

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Robinson
Registration: N611TH
Model/Series: R44 II
Aircraft Category: Helicopter
Amateur Built: No
Operator: On file
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: SNS, 84 ft msl
Observation Time: 1457
Distance from Accident Site: 2 Nautical Miles
Temperature/Dew Point: 19°C / 13°C
Lowest Cloud Condition: Scattered / 2100 ft agl
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 13 knots / , 270°
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility: 8 Miles
Altimeter Setting: 29.87 inches Hg
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Departure Point: Salinas, CA (SNS)
Destination: Salinas, CA (SNS) 

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 None
Latitude, Longitude:  36.662778, -121.606389 (est)