# Accident 20260720008389A: Robinson Helicopter R44, Red Oak, IA, July 20, 2026

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: July 20, 2026, 10:55 local time
- Place: Red Oak, IA
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Other, Specify
- Operating rules: Agricultural (Part 137)
- Operator: 4CDG
- Location: 40.9496° N, 95.3468° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.9496&lon=-95.3468&mi=10
- Aircraft: N224RH, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N224RH) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Robinson Helicopter R44 (registry code 7640120, https://openairdocs.org/model/robinson-helicopter-r44) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming 0-540F1 SERIE (registry code 41531, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540f1-serie) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ROBINSON HELICOPTER R44
- Reported engine: LYCOMING 0-540F1 SERIE
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Commercial pilot
- Pilot flight hours: 6,216 total, 2,170 in this make and model, 143 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB CEN26LA260](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN26LA260) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20260720008389A

## Narrative

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

PILOT LOST CONTROL DURING TAKE OFF FROM ELEVATED PLATFORM WITH GROUND CREW FUELING HOSE CONNECTED TO ROTORCRAFT.

## 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 CEN26LA260](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN26LA260), Jul 20, 2026: Robinson Helicopter R44 (N224RH), Emerson, IA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The failure of the pilot to verify the loading hose had been disconnected before taking off and the failure of the loader to disconnect the fuel hose from the helicopter.

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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