# Accident 20250629008789A: Robinson Helicopter Company R44 II, Palmer, AK, June 29, 2025

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: June 29, 2025, 20:05 local time
- Place: Palmer, AK
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Other, Specify
- Operating rules: Air taxi and commuter (Part 135)
- Operator: SN6C
- Location: 61.4417° N, 148.7590° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.4417&lon=-148.7590&mi=10
- Aircraft: N531AT, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N531AT) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Robinson Helicopter R44 II (registry code 7640122, https://openairdocs.org/model/robinson-helicopter-r44-ii) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming IO-540-AE1A5 (registry code 41899, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-540-ae1a5) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ROBINSON HELICOPTER COMPANY R44 II
- People aboard: 4
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Commercial pilot, flight instructor
- Pilot flight hours: 651 total, 225 in this make and model, 102 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB ANC25LA064](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC25LA064) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20250629008789A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

PILOT TOOK OFF FROM GLACIER SETTING WITH SNOW COVERED TERRAIN AND FLAT LIGHT CONDITIONS. UPON LIFT UP TO ABOUT 50'AGL FACING EASTWARD, PILOT INITIATED LEFT PEDAL TURN TOWARD WEST AND TO VISUALLY REFERECE THE RIDGELINE. MIDWAY THROUGH TURN, WITH EYES INSIDE FLIGHT DECK, PILOT NOTICED ILLUMNATION OF "FULL THROTTLE" CAUTION LIGHT. AFTER MAKING CONTROL INPUTS, WHEN EYES WENT BACK OUTSIDE, VISUAL REFERECES WERE LOST. HELICOPTER SKIDS BOUNCED OFF SURFACE. UPON 2ND SKID CONTACT WITH GROUND, HELICOPTER SLID ON NOSE AND FRONT OF SKIDS BEFORE AIRCRAFT ROLLED LEFT AND CAME TO REST ON LEFT SIDE.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB ANC25LA064](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC25LA064), Jun 30, 2025: Robinson Helicopter R44 II (N531AT), Palmer, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s diverted attention during takeoff in flat light conditions, which resulted in a loss of visual reference with terrain.

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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