Helicopter Training Podcast

R44 Low RPM Accident, Mount Blanco, Texas | Helicopter Training Podcast Ep. 007

July 1, 2026·18 min
Episode Description from the Publisher

This accident review goes beyond the probable cause to connect the facts with practical training and safety resources that can help prevent similar accidents. Using photos and video from the accident investigation, along with graphics and animations to help paint the picture, we take a deeper look at the issues and the lessons we can all learn from.Topics include:• Pilot and aircraft background• Weather and performance considerations• ADS-B flight track analysis• USHST helicopter accident statistics• Reference to Robinson Safety Notices • Distraction and pilot priorities• Energy management• Load factor and reduced lift• Use of aft cyclic with Low RPM • Practical lessons & take-awaysPrefer watching? See if your podcast player has video or watch on YouTube:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠tinyurl.com/HTP-Video-Podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Send us feedback and questions:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠HelicopterTrainingPodcast.com/Contact⁠⁠⁠⁠Timestamps: 00:00 START01:27 Introduction to the accident01:45 Pilot details02:41 Robinson Safety Notice SN-3403:44 Aircraft details04:45 Estimated gross weight and performance05:00 Weather details06:02 Purpose of flight06:39 USHST helicopter accident statistics06:54 Robinson Safety Notice SN-3407:53 Accident sequence08:39 ADS-B flight track09:30 NTSB Class 4 explanation09:50 Accident findings10:09 Probable cause10:39 Lessons learned11:02 Distraction11:27 Robinson Safety Notice SN-3411:50 Pilot priorities12:09 Energy management13:16 Load factor and reduced lift13:59 Exceeding engine power available14:40 Low rotor RPM15:05 Robinson Safety Notice SN-1015:30 The power of aft cyclic16:08 Low RPM with no aft cyclic16:40 How SN-10 matches the final seconds of the accident17:40 Summary and key takeaways17:53 OUTROShow Links: NTSB Final Report CEN26LA168 - https://tinyurl.com/NTSB-CEN26LA168NTSB Investigation Classification - https://tinyurl.com/NTSB-ClassificationUSHST 2017 Accident Study - https://tinyurl.com/USHST-2013-StudyR44 Low RPM Incident Video - https://youtu.be/fe2CN0SIwTkDangerous Student Errors Playlist - ⁠https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLJ8xtPILNIljCuCGUKfDQyf2kaQuKFOoC⁠Robinson Safety Notices & POH - ⁠https://tinyurl.com/RHC-SNs⁠Found On Preflight Safety Initiate - ⁠https://foundonpreflight.com/⁠Book a Discovery Flight - ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://tinyurl.com/HTV-Disco⁠⁠⁠⁠Recommended Books - ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://tinyurl.com/HTV-Books⁠⁠⁠⁠Essential Pilot Supplies - ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://tinyurl.com/HTV-Supplies⁠⁠⁠⁠Helicopter Online Ground School (H.O.G.S.) 10% Discount use “HTV10” at Checkout - ⁠⁠⁠⁠http://tinyurl.com/HOGSDiscount⁠⁠⁠Support Us:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠HelicopterTrainingPodcast.com/support⁠⁠⁠⁠Where to Find Us:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠HelicopterTrainingPodcast.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook.com/HelicopterTrainingPodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠x.com/HeliTrainingPod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram.com/HelicopterTrainingPodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠MUSIC: Music Machine Mondays Theme Song by Wintergatan:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠wintergatan.net⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Disclaimer: Be smart, and for official guidance, always consult your CFI!Copyright © Helicopter Training Videos

Podzilla Summary coming soon

Sign up to get notified when the full AI-powered summary is ready.

Get Free Summaries →

Free forever for up to 3 podcasts. No credit card required.

Listen to This Episode

Get summaries like this every morning.

Free AI-powered recaps of Helicopter Training Podcast and your other favorite podcasts, delivered to your inbox.

Get Free Summaries →

Free forever for up to 3 podcasts. No credit card required.