The Robinson R44 Clipper I is a single-engined light utility helicopter for up to 1 crew and 3 passengers, powered by a carburetted Lycoming O-540-F1B5 piston engine. The Clipper I is an R44 Raven I offered with fixed utility floats for extended flights over water. The Robinson R44 is built and developed by the Robinson Helicopter Company in Torrance, California. Design of the Model R44 began in 1985. The first prototype flew on 31 March 1990 and the second in January 1991. Sales efforts got under way in March 1992 at a base price of 235.000 US-Dollars. FAA Type Certification for the R44 Astro was achieved on 10 December 1992, and the first Robinson R44 Astro was delivered in February 1993. In 2000, the R44 Astro was replaced as the main production model by the hydraulically-assisted R44 Raven. Today the four-seat Model R44 is the world's most popular helicopter with over 6300 delivered to customers all over the world. The ICAO Aircraft Type Designator for the R44 Clipper I helicopters is R44.

On 16 June 2000, Robinson R44 Clipper I s/n 0785 was registered PH-HEW with Helico bvba in Meer, Belgium. On 19 November 2000, Clipper I PH-HEW was registered with Helicon BV in the Netherlands. Helicon BV was located at Teuge airfield. Helicon moved first to Lelystad airport and finally to their own heliport in Bergen op Zoom. In September 2012, Helicon was declared bankrupt. The 2000-built Robinson R44 Clipper I PH-HEW was sold in the UK and on 11 September 2008, registered with Q Aviation Limited, Leominster. On 26 March 2009, Clipper PH-HEW was registered with R.J. Everett, Sproughton Ipswich in the UK. On 8 November 2010, after the CofA was expired over a year, registration PH-HEW was cancelled by the Dutch CAA (IVW).

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