NTSB investigations: Robinson Helicopter R44 II
38 cases on aircraft the registry lists as Robinson Helicopter R44 II, where the defining event was Low altitude operation/event. 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 | 3 |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2014 | 2 |
| 2015 | 1 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2017 | 3 |
| 2018 | 1 |
| 2019 | 3 |
| 2020 | 4 |
| 2021 | 3 |
| 2022 | 4 |
| 2023 | 3 |
| 2024 | 4 |
| 2025 | 1 |
| 2026 | 3 |
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' e WHERE e.case_mkey = x.case_mkey AND e.aircrafts_position = x.position AND e.\"isDefiningEvent\" AND e.\"tier2Number\" = '220'))
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' e WHERE e.case_mkey = x.case_mkey AND e.aircrafts_position = x.position AND e."isDefiningEvent" AND e."tier2Number" = '220'))
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 CEN26LA256Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 II · Coralville, IAThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from a power line during a low-level aerial application flight.NTSB CEN26LA148Accident · Serious injuriesClass 3 · LimitedPreliminary reportRobinson Helicopter R44 II · Stonewall, TXOn March 24, 2026, about 0930 central daylight time, a Robinson R44 II helicopter, N233JD, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Stonewall, Texas. The pilot and passenger were seriously injured. The helicopter was operated as a…NTSB CEN26LA101Accident · Minor injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 II · Sullivan, MOThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from powerlines during low-level operations.NTSB ERA25LA240Accident · Serious injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 II · Hawesville, KYThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from power lines during low-level agricultural spray operations.NTSB CEN25FA019Accident · 4 fatalClass 2 · FieldFinal reportRobinson R44 · Houston, TXThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from a lighted radio tower during a visual night flight. Contributing to the accident was the air traffic controller’s failure to issue a safety alert notifying the pilot of the flight’s unsafe proximity to the tower.NTSB ERA24LA393Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 II · Ravenel, SCThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from terrain, which resulted in the right skid contacting the ground and a subsequent rollover.NTSB CEN24LA252Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 II · New Florence, MOThe pilot’s failure to maintain proper altitude/clearance from a dead tree limb during an aerial application flight.NTSB ERA24LA171Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 II · South Kingstown, RIThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from the water while maneuvering at low altitude.NTSB WPR24LA092Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 II · Calexico, CAThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from power lines during an aerial application flight.NTSB CEN23LA341Accident · Serious injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 II · Arthur, ILThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from trees during a low-level aerial application flight.NTSB WPR23LA145Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 II · Elko, NVThe pilot’s failure to maintain sufficient altitude and airspeed in gusting tailwind conditions that resulted in an unrecoverable descent and impact with terrain.NTSB CEN22LA366Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 II · Maynard, IAAn impact with a powerline as a result of an unexpected wind gust.NTSB CEN22LA350Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 II · Marshall, MOThe pilot’s failure to adequately survey a field for obstructions prior to a low-level aerial application pass, which resulted in an impact with a powerline.NTSB CEN22LA345Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 II · Ithaca, NEThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from power lines during low level aerial application operations due to a distraction.NTSB CEN22FA288Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 II · Blackwell, TXThe pilot’s failure to maintain proper altitude and clearance during low-level aerial application, resulting in an in-flight collision with power lines.NTSB CEN21LA349Accident · Serious injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 II · Randolph, WIThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from power lines during a low-level aerial application flight.NTSB CEN21LA339Accident · Minor injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 II · West Liberty, IAThe pilot’s failure to see and avoid a wire while maneuvering at low altitude during an aerial application flight, resulting in a collision with the wire.NTSB CEN21FA330Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportRobinson R44 · Elgin, MNThe pilot’s decision to operate the helicopter under powerlines, which resulted in a main rotor blade striking a powerline, causing the helicopter to descend from a low altitude and impact terrain.NTSB CEN21LA077Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 II · Marietta, TXThe pilot’s failure to see and avoid a transmission wire during takeoff.NTSB WPR20CA197Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · Data collectionFinal reportRobinson R44 · Pioche, NVThe pilot’s decision to fly at low level over mountainous terrain and his inability to recover when the helicopter encountered a downdraft that resulted in a collision with terrain.NTSB CEN20LA442Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 II · Sterling City, TXThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from power lines during an aerial application flight.NTSB CEN20CA085Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportRobinson R44 · Marfa, TXThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a fence during low-altitude maneuvering.NTSB GAA19CA473Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportRobinson R44 · Fessenden, NDThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from wires during an agricultural application flight.NTSB ERA19TA204Accident · Serious injuriesClass 3Final reportRobinson R44 · Parsons, WVThe pilot's decision to maneuver the helicopter at low altitude over a river, which resulted in a wire strike and subsequent collision with terrain.NTSB GAA19CA110Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportRobinson R44 · Grace, IDThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the power lines.NTSB GAA18CA453Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportRobinson R44 · Elma, IAThe pilot's failure maintain clearance from power lines during an agricultural application flight.NTSB ANC17LA040Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 · Solomon, AKThe pilot's failure to maintain adequate altitude above water, and his loss of situational awareness, which resulted in an inadvertent descent and collision with water.NTSB CEN17CA346Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 II · Logan, IAThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from a wire during an agricultural application flight.NTSB GAA17CA401Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 · Paoli, INThe pilot's decision to maneuver an overgross weight helicopter at a low altitude and airspeed with a gusting tailwind, which resulted in a high descent rate and collision with terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's self-induced pressure to…NTSB CEN16FA215Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 II · Jonesboro, ARThe pilot's failure to maintain helicopter control during takeoff. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's impairment due to his combined use of alcohol and diphenhydramine, which led to his improper decision to fly after drinking alcohol and degraded…NTSB GAA15CA232Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 II · Prairie Lea, TXThe pilot's failure to maintain rotor rpm, resulting in an uncontrolled descent and collision with trees.NTSB CEN14LA487Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 II · Macedonia, IAThe pilot’s inadequate visual lookout, which resulted in a collision with a static line.NTSB WPR14CA270Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 II · Quincy, WAThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a wind generator tower while drying cherries, which resulted in a loss of aircraft control and subsequent hard landing.NTSB CEN13FA517Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportRobinson R44 II · Caballo, NMThe pilot’s failure to see and avoid power lines while maneuvering near the ground because dust stirred up by the rotor wash obscured his visibility.NTSB WPR12LA259Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 II · East Wenatchee, WAThe pilot’s failure to adequately monitor the environment and maintain clearance from the power lines while maneuvering at low altitude.NTSB WPR09CA470Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 II · Mt Charleston, NVThe pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control and terrain clearance while maneuvering at a low altitude above high terrain. Contributing to the accident was a downdraft and high density altitude.NTSB WPR09CA224Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportRobinson R44 · Cottonwood, AZThe pilot's inadequate visual lookout and failure to maintain clearance from wires.NTSB WPR09CA105Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 II · Bountiful, UTThe pilot's improper decision to fly at low altitude while maneuvering in mountainous terrain in a canyon and inadvertently exceeding the climb capability of the helicopter. Contributing to the accident were a high density altitude, mountainous terrain, and a…