# Accident 20251022016209A: Robinson Helicopter Co R66, Ekalaka, MT, October 22, 2025

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: October 22, 2025, 18:30 local time
- Place: Ekalaka, MT
- Damage: Destroyed
- Phase of flight: Cruise/Level Flight
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 45.7587° N, 104.6609° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.7587&lon=-104.6609&mi=10
- Aircraft: N67GA, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N67GA) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Robinson Helicopter R66 (registry code 7640130, https://openairdocs.org/model/robinson-helicopter-r66) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Rolls-Royce 250-C300/A1 (registry code 54232, https://openairdocs.org/engine/rolls-royce-250-c300-a1) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ROBINSON HELICOPTER CO R66
- Reported engine: ROLLS-ROYC 250-C300/A1
- People aboard: 4
- Fatal injuries: 4
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Commercial pilot, private pilot
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB WPR26FA031](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR26FA031) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20251022016209A

## Narrative

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

A WITNESS, WHO WAS LOCATED ABOUT 3/4 MILE SOUTHEAST OF THE ACCIDENT SITE REPORTED THAT SHE WAS INSIDE HER RESIDENCE WHEN SHE HEARD THE HELICOPTER OVERFLYING HER LOCATION AND WENT TO A NEARBY WINDOW TO LOOK. SHE STATED THAT WHILE LOOKING TO THE NORTH-NORTHWEST, SHE OBSERVED THE HELICOPTER FLYING LOW OVER THE BUTTES FROM LEFT TO RIGHT. SHE STATED THAT THE HELICOPTER THEN BEGAN TO GAIN ALTITUDE, AND SOMETHING CAME OFF IT, AFTER WHICH IT DESCENDED OUT OF HER LINE OF SIGHT.

THE TAIL ROTOR ASSEMBLY WAS FOUND APPROXIAMETLY 100 YARDS FROM THE MAIN WRECKAGE AND DISPLAYED EVIDENCE OF CONTACT FROM A MAIN ROTOR BLADE.

THIS NARRATIVE MAY BE AMENDED AT A FUTURE DATE IF ADDITIONAL ITEMS ARE DISCOVERED.

## 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 WPR26FA031](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR26FA031), Oct 23, 2025: Robinson Helicopter R66 (N67GA), Ekalaka, MT, substantial damage, 4 fatal, investigation ongoing

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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