NTSB investigations: Robinson Helicopter R44
16 cases on aircraft the registry lists as Robinson Helicopter R44, where the sequence of events included Hard landing. Aircraft are matched to the registry by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model, so older matches can be wrong.
Cases per year
| 2009 | 1 |
|---|---|
| 2011 | 2 |
| 2016 | 2 |
| 2017 | 3 |
| 2018 | 1 |
| 2019 | 1 |
| 2020 | 1 |
| 2022 | 2 |
| 2023 | 1 |
| 2025 | 2 |
Where
Open the mapLatest cases
Query with SQL
duckdb -csv -c "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 ('7640120')
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"Prints the whole list as CSV. It reads the release’s Parquet files over HTTPS, so there’s nothing to download first. Install DuckDB to run it.
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 ('7640120')
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" DESCRun it at the DuckDB prompt, or in any tool that reads Parquet over HTTPS. More ways to query the release are on Use the data.
NTSB ERA26LA048Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 · Cookeville, TNThe pilot’s failure to maintain an appropriate decent rate during approach, resulting in a hard landing.NTSB WPR25LA203Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 · Park City, UTThe pilot’s failure to maintain rotor rpm during an approach to landing in a mountainous area, which resulted in a collision with terrain.NTSB CEN24LA004Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 · Hochatown, OKA total loss of engine power during a practice autorotation due to the improper engine idle setting and rigging of the carburetor heat control which resulted in a hard landing.NTSB CEN22LA404Accident · Minor injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 · Beardsley, MNThe pilot’s failure to maintain aircraft control during the approach to land that resulted in an excessive descent rate and impact with terrain.NTSB ERA22LA168Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 · Myrtle Beach, SCVibration in the airframe and flight controls for reasons that could not be determined based on the available evidence.NTSB CEN20CA316Accident · Minor injuriesClass 4 · Data collectionFinal reportRobinson R44 · Hebron, NEA loss of engine power due to water contamination in the fuel system. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s inadequate preflight to sump the fuel tanks prior to flight.NTSB CEN19LA230Accident · Minor injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportRobinson R44 · Ida Grove, IAA total loss of engine power during an aerial application flight for undetermined reasons.NTSB WPR19LA013Accident · Serious injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportRobinson R44 · Kaneohe, HIThe pilot’s sudden incapacitation from an undiagnosed heart condition during flight, which resulted in a hard landing.NTSB GAA18CA072Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 · Fort Pierce, FLThe pilot’s improper landing flare, which resulted in a tail strike and hard landing.NTSB ERA17LA257Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 · Myrtle Beach, SCA loss of available power to the main rotor due to a fractured exhaust pushrod and housing, which allowed engine oil to coat the V-belts. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's decision to continue the tour and his failure to maintain adequate rotor rpm…NTSB WPR17LA097Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 · Santa Barbara, CAA total loss of engine power during cruise flight due to the failure of an engine piston rod for reasons that could not be determined due to extensive damage.NTSB GAA17CA095Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 · Separ, NMThe pilot’s abrupt maneuver to avoid electrical wires during the approach, which resulted in a hard landing.NTSB ERA16LA216Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 · Chatham, MAThe inadequate maintenance of the lower forward clutch actuator bearing for a prolonged period of time, which resulted in a bearing failure. Contributing to the accident was an erroneous maintenance entry, which resulted in the helicopter being operated…NTSB ERA11LA380Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 · Lakewood, NJThe pilot’s inadequate yaw control of the helicopter while hovering.NTSB WPR11CA121Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportRobinson R44 · Ogden, UTThe certified flight instructor’s failure to maintain adequate main rotor blade rpm during a practice autorotation, resulting in a hard landing and rollover.NTSB ANC09GA040Accident · No injuriesFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 · Iliamna, AKThe main rotor transmission mount design, which resulted in an in-flight vibration/oscillation, and damage to the helicopter during an emergency descent and hard landing. Contributing to the accident was the lack of information from the manufacturer regarding…