An aero-adventure between two mates to kickstart their morning has ended in tragedy after their gyrocopter crashed, killing the South Australian pilot.
On March 25, 2022, about 1127 central daylight time, a Robinson R44 helicopter was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Rowlett, Texas. The certified flight instructor (CFI) and student pilot sustained fatal injuries. The helicopter was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 training flight.
According to the operator, the flight was the second of the day for the CFI and student pilot. The first flight (lesson 10 of the training syllabus) was completed successfully. The accident flight was lesson 11, which included pre-solo maneuvers, introduction/simulation of emergency procedures, equipment malfunctions, and vortex ring state recognition and recovery. The student pilot held a commercial pilot certificate for airplanes and was in training to add a helicopter rating.
Video provided to the National Transportation Safety Board showed the helicopter and it’s separated tail boom/tail rotor section fall from the sky. The video did not show the actual separation of the tail section. Automated Dependent Surveillance – Broadcast (ADS-B) data showed the helicopter maneuvering about 2,000 ft. The data showed that the helicopter’s airspeed slowed significantly before a near vertical descent. There were no radio or distress calls heard from the helicopter.
The main section of the helicopter impacted a vacant lot adjacent to commercial buildings and a major municipal roadway. The wreckage was mostly consumed by a post-impact fire. The aft 4-ft section of the tail boom with the tail rotor assembly attached, impacted the top of a one-story commercial building about 300 ft from the main helicopter wreckage.
Main rotor blade impact marks adjacent to the separated section of the tail boom were consistent with main rotor blade contact of the tailboom in flight. Detailed examinations of the helicopter’s structure, flight controls, main/tail rotor drive systems, and engine did not reveal any pre-separation/impact mechanical anomalies.
We are grieving the sudden and tragic loss of one of our own. Lora Trout passed away in a helicopter crash this past Friday in a small suburb of Dallas, Texas. Lora worked on Teton Interagency Helitack from 2016 to 2021. Prior to that, she also worked as a wildland firefighter on the White River NF and Boise NF. She left the helitack crew to pursue her dream of flying helicopters full-time, with the goal of returning to fire and SAR as a pilot. Lora was a dear friend, dedicated coworker, physical fitness leader, and an immediate positive influence to all she knew. Her charismatic wit and strength were evident in all she did, particularly in her passion for aviation and wildland firefighting. To those that knew her, she was a “go to” for advice, help, and humor.
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