NTSB investigations: Robinson Helicopter R44 II
40 cases on aircraft the registry lists as Robinson Helicopter R44 II, 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
| 2008 | 1 |
|---|---|
| 2009 | 3 |
| 2012 | 2 |
| 2013 | 2 |
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2015 | 3 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2017 | 4 |
| 2018 | 2 |
| 2019 | 2 |
| 2020 | 1 |
| 2021 | 5 |
| 2022 | 4 |
| 2023 | 2 |
| 2024 | 5 |
| 2026 | 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 ('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"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 ('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" 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 CEN26LA276Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedPreliminary reportRobinson Helicopter R44 II · Bennett, IAOn 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 CEN26LA168Accident · Minor injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 · Mount Blanco, TXThe 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 WPR25LA034Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 II · Durkee, ORThe 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 ANC24LA079Accident · Minor injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 II · Palmer, AKThe 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 WPR24LA241Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 II · Herriman, UTA 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 WPR24FA200Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 II · Bluestem, WAThe 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 ERA24LA118Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 II · Miami, FLTail rotor contact with an unseen object while performing a precautionary landing to a closed helipad at night.NTSB CEN23LA326Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 II · Charles City, IAThe 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 CEN23LA306Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 II · Pocahontas, ILA reported loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.NTSB CEN22LA400Accident · Serious injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 II · San Isidro, TXThe pilot’s improper decision to conduct an autorotation with a tailwind, which resulted in a hard landing and substantial damage.NTSB WPR22LA299Accident · Minor injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 II · Palmer, AKThe pilot’s failure to maintain lateral control during an off-field landing, which resulted in loss of control and an impact with terrain.NTSB WPR22LA267Accident · Minor injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 II · Cedar City, UTThe 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 WPR22LA132Accident · Minor injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 II · Howe, IDThe pilot’s failure to maintain adequate rotor rpm while descending with a gusting tailwind condition, which resulted in a loss of helicopter control.NTSB WPR21LA359Accident · Minor injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 II · Phoenix, AZThe student pilot's failure to maintain helicopter control while making a clearing turn which resulted in a hard landing.NTSB ANC21LA079Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 II · Pelican, AKThe pilot’s improper preflight planning to ensure adequate power to hover out-of-ground effect while conducting external load operations.NTSB CEN21LA378Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 II · Gonzales, LAThe pilot’s inadvertent collision with a tree while landing at night which resulted in a hard landing.NTSB ERA21LA252Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 II · Sylva, NCThe 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 CEN21LA109Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 II · Albany, TXThe 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 WPR20LA119Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportRobinson R44 · Hillsboro, ORThe total loss of engine power during takeoff due to the delamination of the fuel servo induction air inlet duct tube.NTSB GAA19CA476Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportRobinson R44 · Lebanon, MOThe 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 ERA19FA142Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportRobinson R44 II · Tampa, FLContamination 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 WPR18LA133Accident · Minor injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 II · Borrego Springs, CAThe 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 CEN18LA069Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 II · Albany, TXA 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 WPR17LA159Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 II · Van Nuys, CAAn 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 WPR17LA143Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 II · Ronan, MTThe 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 CEN17LA219Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 II · Douglas, WYThe 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 ERA17LA163Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportRobinson R44 · Orlando, FLA 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 WPR16LA165Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 II · Gunnison, UTA total loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined based on the available evidence.NTSB ANC16LA010Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 II · Valdez, AKThe 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 CEN15LA439Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 II · Alice, TXA loss of engine power during a practice power recovery autorotation for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information.NTSB CEN15LA387Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportRobinson R44 II · Cheyenne, WYThe 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 ERA14LA311Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 II · Nashville, TNThe 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 CEN13LA228Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 II · Buffalo, SDThe 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 CEN13CA124Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 II · Menard, TXThe helicopter landed hard during a forced landing.NTSB CEN12LA573Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 II · Belgium, WIThe pilot’s failure to maintain control of the helicopter while landing in gusting wind conditions, which resulted in a hard landing.NTSB WPR12LA267Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 II · Scottsdale, AZThe 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 ERA09LA410Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportRobinson R44 · Silver Spring, PAThe student pilot's inability to fully control the helicopter, during cruise and the resultant off-field hard landing.NTSB ERA09CA337Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 II · Meredith, NHThe pilot’s failure to maintain control during landing.NTSB CEN09CA270Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 II · Kent, TXThe pilot's failure to maintain control of the helicopter.NTSB LAX08CA182Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportRobinson R44 II · Missoula, MTThe 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…