NTSB Factual Report

On January 30, 2018, about 1350 Pacific standard time, a Robinson Helicopter R44, N7530R, was destroyed when it impacted three residential houses while maneuvering near Newport Beach, California. The private pilot and two of the three passengers sustained fatal injuries, one passenger sustained serious injuries, and one person located on the ground sustained minor injuries. The helicopter was registered to Spitzer Helicopter and operated by Revolution Aviation under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the personal cross-country flight. The flight originated from the John Wayne-Orange County Airport (SNA) about 1 minute prior to the accident, with an intended destination of Catalina Island, California.

Multiple witnesses adjacent to the accident site reported observing the helicopter in level flight before it began descending in a nose low attitude toward a residential area. Witnesses reported that the helicopter struck the roof of two houses before it impacted the ground. Subsequently, the helicopter came to rest on its left side against a third house.

The accident site was located about 0.95 miles south, southeast of the departure end of runway 20R at SNA. The wreckage debris path was oriented on a heading of about 189o magnetic and about 86 feet in length. All major structural components of the helicopter were located within the debris path.

The wreckage was recovered to a secure location for further examination.