357 N881KE R44 Houston Tower Collision: What All Pilots Can Learn + GA News

Max talks about the tragic crash of a Robinson R44 helicopter (N881KE) in Houston on October 20, 2024, which claimed four lives. The accident occurred during an air tour when the helicopter collided with a radio tower at night. While the immediate cause—the helicopter hitting the tower—is clear, the episode delves into the broader contributing factors, offering lessons for all pilots.

The tower struck was lit and operational despite a recent NOTAM suggesting otherwise, but a significant factor was the operator's recent move to a new location. This change introduced risks as pilots flew new routes they were less familiar with, potentially increasing workload and reducing situational awareness.

Distractions, a leading cause of aviation accidents, likely played a role. The pilot, engaged in radio communications, may have lost focus on obstacle avoidance. Limited night vision, reflections from the helicopter canopy, and passenger interaction may have compounded the challenge.

Key takeaways include heightened vigilance during operational changes, minimizing distractions, and prioritizing night vision by dimming cockpit lights. Pilots are also encouraged to study and memorize local obstacles. These lessons emphasize safety awareness to prevent future tragedies in both helicopters and airplanes.

If you're getting value from this show, please support the show via PayPal, Venmo, Zelle or Patreon.

Support the Show by buying a Lightspeed ANR Headsets Max has been using only Lightspeed headsets for nearly 25 years! I love their tradeup program that let's you trade in an older Lightspeed headset for a newer model. Start with one of the links below, and Lightspeed will pay a referral fee to support Aviation News Talk. Lightspeed Delta Zulu Headset $1199 Lightspeed Zulu 3 Headset $899Lightspeed Sierra Headset $699 My Review on the Lightspeed Delta Zulu

Send us your feedback or comments via email

If you have a question you'd like answered on the show, let listeners hear you ask the question, by recording your listener question using your phone.

News Stories

• FAA relaxes BasicMed limits to allow pilots to fly larger aircraft
• FAA Adds More DPEs To Ease Certification Delays
• FAA stays controversial Moss Interpretation after industry backlash
• Pilot crashes after failing to check position of fuel selector
• 2 Dead After Civil Air Patrol Plane Crashes in Colorado Mountains
• Pilot in deadly helicopter crash had student license, report says
• Time-building flight ends with deployment of ballistic parachute
• Beechcraft Bonanza hits parked Cessna during go-around
• Airliner Grounded After 130 Hamsters Escape From Cages

Mentioned on the ShowVideo of the Week: Robinson R22 loses control and hits parked plane Checkrider Platform for DPE SchedulingThe U.S. Commercial Air Tour Industry: A Review of Aviation Safety ConcernsBuy Max Trescott's G1000 Book Call 800-247-6553 Buy Max Trescott's G3000 Book Call 800-247-6553

Free Index to the first 282 episodes of Aviation New Talk

So You Want To Learn to Fly or Buy a Cirrus seminars Online Version of the Seminar Coming Soon – Register for Notification

Check out our recommended ADS-B receivers, and order one for yourself. Yes, we'll make a couple of dollars if you do.

Get the Free Aviation News Talk app for iOS or Android.

Check out Max's Online Courses: G1000 VFR, G1000 IFR, and Flying WAAS & GPS Approaches. Find them all at: https://www.pilotlearning.com/

Social Media Like Aviation News Talk podcast on Facebook Follow Max on Instagram Follow Max on Twitter Listen to all Aviation News Talk podcasts on YouTube or YouTube Premium

"Go Around" song used by permission of Ken Dravis; you can buy his music at kendravis.com If you purchase a product through a link on our site, we may receive compensation.