# NTSB investigations: Robinson Helicopter R44 II: Hard landing

NTSB aviation accident and incident investigations since 1962: the probable cause, findings, aircraft, crew, weather and docket of each, linked to the FAA registry and the FAA’s own reports.

## Latest cases

- [NTSB CEN26LA276](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN26LA276.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Bennett, IA · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Preliminary report · Aug 2, 2026 · N26KL · Substantial damage
  > On August 2, 2026, about 1318 central daylight time, a Robinson Helicopter Company R44 II helicopter, N26KL, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Bennett, Iowa. The pilot was not injured. The helicopter was operated as a Title 14…
- [NTSB CEN26LA168](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN26LA168.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 · Mount Blanco, TX · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Apr 17, 2026 · N445JS · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain proper main rotor rpm during a low-level turn, which resulted in the main rotor rpm drooping, a loss of control at an altitude too low for recovery, and a subsequent impact with terrain.
- [NTSB WPR25LA034](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR25LA034.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Durkee, OR · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Nov 7, 2024 · N4361R · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's inadequate performance planning, which resulted in insufficient engine power to transition into an out-of-ground-effect hover at a high gross weight.
- [NTSB ANC24LA079](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC24LA079.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Palmer, AK · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Aug 18, 2024 · N783AK · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to follow the operator’s procedure manual and attempted to land at a remote landing zone in high wind conditions. Contributing factor was the pilot’s decision to not conduct a fly over of the landing site to determine wind condition which…
- [NTSB WPR24LA241](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24LA241.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Herriman, UT · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jul 13, 2024 · N6960 · Substantial damage
  > A hard landing following a total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation as a result of the improper idle setting of the helicopter’s engine. Contributing to the loss of engine power was the instructor’s reduction of engine power past that recommended by…
- [NTSB WPR24FA200](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24FA200.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Bluestem, WA · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jun 19, 2024 · N323TT · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s failure to manage main rotor rpm during an autorotation, which resulted in a loss of helicopter control. Contributing to the accident was a loss of power for reasons that could not be determined.
- [NTSB ERA24LA118](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24LA118.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Miami, FL · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Feb 1, 2024 · N521LS · Substantial damage
  > Tail rotor contact with an unseen object while performing a precautionary landing to a closed helipad at night.
- [NTSB CEN23LA326](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23LA326.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Charles City, IA · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jul 26, 2023 · N4174L · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s improper preflight of the helicopter to ensure that it was within the loading and performance limitations that resulted in settling and impact with terrain during initial climb.
- [NTSB CEN23LA306](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23LA306.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Pocahontas, IL · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jul 14, 2023 · N62RK · Substantial damage
  > A reported loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.
- [NTSB CEN22LA400](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN22LA400.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · San Isidro, TX · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Aug 21, 2022 · N4447A · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s improper decision to conduct an autorotation with a tailwind, which resulted in a hard landing and substantial damage.
- [NTSB WPR22LA299](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR22LA299.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Palmer, AK · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Aug 11, 2022 · N987WH · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain lateral control during an off-field landing, which resulted in loss of control and an impact with terrain.
- [NTSB WPR22LA267](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR22LA267.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Cedar City, UT · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jul 25, 2022 · N497SU · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot’s failure to maintain rotor rpm and airspeed and the flight instructor's inadequate remedial action to regain helicopter control during the straight-in autorotation which resulted in a hard landing.
- [NTSB WPR22LA132](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR22LA132.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Howe, ID · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Mar 22, 2022 · N44DQ · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate rotor rpm while descending with a gusting tailwind condition, which resulted in a loss of helicopter control.
- [NTSB WPR21LA359](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR21LA359.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Phoenix, AZ · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Sep 30, 2021 · N74706 · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot's failure to maintain helicopter control while making a clearing turn which resulted in a hard landing.
- [NTSB ANC21LA079](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC21LA079.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Pelican, AK · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Aug 30, 2021 · N878CB · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s improper preflight planning to ensure adequate power to hover out-of-ground effect while conducting external load operations.
- [NTSB CEN21LA378](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21LA378.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Gonzales, LA · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Aug 21, 2021 · N222VB · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s inadvertent collision with a tree while landing at night which resulted in a hard landing.
- [NTSB ERA21LA252](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA21LA252.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Sylva, NC · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jun 14, 2021 · N443SH · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s intentional departure from the procedures published in the manufacturer’s flight training guide, and his subsequent loss of engine rpm, rotor rpm, and aircraft control.
- [NTSB CEN21LA109](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21LA109.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Albany, TX · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jan 9, 2021 · N322SH · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s inadequate pretakeoff checks which resulted in the magneto switch (key) remaining in the OFF position during the takeoff sequence and initial climb and the right magneto grounding intermittently.
- [NTSB WPR20LA119](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR20LA119.md): Robinson R44 · Hillsboro, OR · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Apr 6, 2020 · N725GT · Substantial damage
  > The total loss of engine power during takeoff due to the delamination of the fuel servo induction air inlet duct tube.
- [NTSB GAA19CA476](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA476.md): Robinson R44 · Lebanon, MO · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jun 9, 2019 · N724H · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's loss of yaw control and failure to maintain a proper descent rate and his subsequent improper use of the collective instead of the antitorque pedals to correct the yaw, which resulted in a hard landing.
- [NTSB ERA19FA142](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA19FA142.md): Robinson R44 II · Tampa, FL · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Apr 4, 2019 · N4046J · Substantial damage
  > Contamination of and an inadequate bond between the two layers of fabric comprising the helicopter engine's air induction inlet duct, which resulted a partial collapse of the duct, obstruction of the airflow into the engine, and a total loss of engine power.
- [NTSB WPR18LA133](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR18LA133.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Borrego Springs, CA · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Apr 30, 2018 · N423ML · Substantial damage
  > The loss of the helicopter’s drive system for reasons that could not be determined from the available evidence, which led to an autorotation that resulted in a hard landing and rollover on uneven sandy terrain.
- [NTSB CEN18LA069](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN18LA069.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Albany, TX · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jan 8, 2018 · N797JR · Substantial damage
  > A loss of helicopter control for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination did not reveal any evidence of mechanical malfunctions or failures of the main rotor and tail rotor systems that would have precluded normal operation.
- [NTSB WPR17LA159](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR17LA159.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Van Nuys, CA · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 21, 2017 · N3254E · Substantial damage
  > An improper repair of the right magneto's tachometer and governor signal wire, which failed during cruise flight and initiated a simultaneous malfunction of both the engine tachometer and governor control system, which resulted in erroneous and contradictory…
- [NTSB WPR17LA143](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR17LA143.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Ronan, MT · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 6, 2017 · N442DR · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed, which resulted in a loss of tail rotor effectiveness during a low-altitude orbiting maneuver and a subsequent hard landing.
- [NTSB CEN17LA219](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN17LA219.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Douglas, WY · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 9, 2017 · N590GG · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's inability to control the helicopter's descent after encountering a sudden wind shift to a tailwind while performing a near maximum gross weight landing at a high density altitude.
- [NTSB ERA17LA163](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA17LA163.md): Robinson R44 · Orlando, FL · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Apr 20, 2017 · N899GB · Substantial damage
  > A partial failure of the helicopter's engine tachometer due to the separation of one of the magnet assemblies and engine roughness, which precipitated the pilot’s initiation of an off-airport autorotation, during which he applied improper aft cyclic flight…
- [NTSB WPR16LA165](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR16LA165.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Gunnison, UT · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 12, 2016 · N247DB · Substantial damage
  > A total loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined based on the available evidence.
- [NTSB ANC16LA010](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC16LA010.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Valdez, AK · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Dec 16, 2015 · N255VS · Substantial damage
  > The overhaul facility’s improper and excessive use of an approved lubricant during overhaul of the fuel injection servo, which resulted in a disruption of fuel flow and a total loss of engine power.
- [NTSB CEN15LA439](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN15LA439.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Alice, TX · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 14, 2015 · N442CF · Substantial damage
  > A loss of engine power during a practice power recovery autorotation for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information.
- [NTSB CEN15LA387](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN15LA387.md): Robinson R44 II · Cheyenne, WY · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 28, 2015 · N440SA · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's improper preflight performance planning, which resulted in a hard landing due to low rotor rpm while operating near maximum gross weight in high density altitude conditions.
- [NTSB ERA14LA311](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA14LA311.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Nashville, TN · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 24, 2014 · N544BS · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain rotor rpm during an autorotation after a perceived partial loss of power, which resulted in a hard landing. Contributing to the accident was radio frequency interference with the governor controller, which resulted in an…
- [NTSB CEN13LA228](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN13LA228.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Buffalo, SD · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Apr 13, 2013 · N424DP · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate main rotor rpm while maneuvering at a low altitude in gusting wind conditions, which resulted in an emergency landing on uneven terrain.
- [NTSB CEN13CA124](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN13CA124.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Menard, TX · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jan 2, 2013 · N744RM · Substantial damage
  > The helicopter landed hard during a forced landing.
- [NTSB CEN12LA573](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN12LA573.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Belgium, WI · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 10, 2012 · N144DZ · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain control of the helicopter while landing in gusting wind conditions, which resulted in a hard landing.
- [NTSB WPR12LA267](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR12LA267.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Scottsdale, AZ · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 17, 2012 · N808WH · Substantial damage
  > The flight instructor’s failure to maintain adequate rotor rpm during a practice autorotation, which resulted in a loss of helicopter control and subsequent hard landing.
- [NTSB ERA09LA410](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA09LA410.md): Robinson R44 · Silver Spring, PA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 19, 2009 · N25VH · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot's inability to fully control the helicopter, during cruise and the resultant off-field hard landing.
- [NTSB ERA09CA337](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA09CA337.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Meredith, NH · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · May 25, 2009 · N47GT · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain control during landing.
- [NTSB CEN09CA270](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09CA270.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Kent, TX · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Apr 23, 2009 · N518SJ · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain control of the helicopter.
- [NTSB LAX08CA182](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX08CA182.md): Robinson R44 II · Missoula, MT · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jun 14, 2008 · N272SW · Destroyed
  > The student's inadvertent control interference, which the flight instructor was unable to overcome. A contributing factor was the instructor's poor crew coordination in his failure to verbally command the student to relinquish the controls and his inadequate…

## The whole list in SQL

Runs in DuckDB 1.2 or later on the release's Parquet files over HTTPS:

```sql
SELECT c."ntsbNumber", c."eventDate", c."eventType", c."eventCity", c."eventStateOrRegion", a.n_number, a."aircraftMake", a."aircraftModel", c."highestInjuryLevel", c."totalFatal", c."completionStatus", c.report_url
FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_case_detail.parquet' c LEFT JOIN 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_aircrafts.parquet' a ON a.case_mkey = c."mKey" AND a.position = 1
WHERE c."mKey" IN (SELECT x.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_aircrafts.parquet' x WHERE x.aircraft_model_code IN ('7640122', '7640123')
    AND EXISTS (SELECT 1 FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_events.parquet' s WHERE s.case_mkey = x.case_mkey AND s.aircrafts_position = x.position AND s."tier2Number" = '092' AND s.case_mkey IN (SELECT case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_events.parquet' WHERE "isDefiningEvent")))
ORDER BY c."eventDate" DESC, c."ntsbNumber" DESC
```

This list as a web page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence?model=7640122

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