# NTSB investigations: Robinson Helicopter R44 II: Low altitude operation/event

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 CEN26LA256](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN26LA256.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Coralville, IA · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jul 16, 2026 · N322TC · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from a power line during a low-level aerial application flight.
- [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 CEN26LA148](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN26LA148.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Stonewall, TX · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Preliminary report · Mar 24, 2026 · N233JD · Substantial damage
  > On 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 CEN26LA101](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN26LA101.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Sullivan, MO · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jan 29, 2026 · N916VK · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from powerlines during low-level operations.
- [NTSB ERA25LA240](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA25LA240.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Hawesville, KY · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jun 25, 2025 · N144WK · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from power lines during low-level agricultural spray operations.
- [NTSB CEN25FA019](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN25FA019.md): Robinson R44 · Houston, TX · Accident · 4 fatal · Class 2 · Field · Final report · Oct 21, 2024 · N881KE · Destroyed
  > The 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 ERA24LA393](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24LA393.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Ravenel, SC · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Sep 23, 2024 · N153LA · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from terrain, which resulted in the right skid contacting the ground and a subsequent rollover.
- [NTSB CEN24LA252](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN24LA252.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · New Florence, MO · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jul 4, 2024 · N225AM · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain proper altitude/clearance from a dead tree limb during an aerial application flight.
- [NTSB ERA24LA171](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24LA171.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · South Kingstown, RI · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Apr 9, 2024 · N331EL · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from the water while maneuvering at low altitude.
- [NTSB WPR24LA092](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24LA092.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Calexico, CA · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Dec 6, 2023 · N422DX · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from power lines during an aerial application flight.
- [NTSB CEN23LA341](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23LA341.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Arthur, IL · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jul 31, 2023 · N644ME · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from trees during a low-level aerial application flight.
- [NTSB WPR23LA145](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23LA145.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Elko, NV · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Apr 1, 2023 · N462BA · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain sufficient altitude and airspeed in gusting tailwind conditions that resulted in an unrecoverable descent and impact with terrain.
- [NTSB CEN22LA366](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN22LA366.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Maynard, IA · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Aug 5, 2022 · N619RB · Substantial damage
  > An impact with a powerline as a result of an unexpected wind gust.
- [NTSB CEN22LA350](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN22LA350.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Marshall, MO · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jul 31, 2022 · N458SG · Substantial damage
  > The 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 CEN22LA345](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN22LA345.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Ithaca, NE · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jul 28, 2022 · N719TF · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from power lines during low level aerial application operations due to a distraction.
- [NTSB CEN22FA288](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN22FA288.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Blackwell, TX · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jun 26, 2022 · N4124D · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain proper altitude and clearance during low-level aerial application, resulting in an in-flight collision with power lines.
- [NTSB CEN21LA349](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21LA349.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Randolph, WI · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jul 31, 2021 · N285RG · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from power lines during a low-level aerial application flight.
- [NTSB CEN21LA339](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21LA339.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · West Liberty, IA · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jul 20, 2021 · N983HA · Substantial damage
  > The 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 CEN21FA330](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21FA330.md): Robinson R44 · Elgin, MN · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jul 19, 2021 · N44BJ · Destroyed
  > The 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 CEN21LA077](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21LA077.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Marietta, TX · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Dec 5, 2020 · N371MP · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to see and avoid a transmission wire during takeoff.
- [NTSB CEN21LA021](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21LA021.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Washington, WI · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Oct 18, 2020 · N31136 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain lateral control during a hover and improper recovery action after the helicopter contacted the ground, which resulted in a dynamic rollover sequence and an impact with terrain.
- [NTSB CEN20LA330](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN20LA330.md): Robinson R44 · Logan, IA · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Aug 8, 2020 · N89LA · Substantial damage
  > The failure of the lower actuator bearing support brackets, which resulted in the misalignment of the clutch actuator, a loss of belt tension on the main rotor drive system, and a subsequent forced landing.
- [NTSB WPR20CA197](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR20CA197.md): Robinson R44 · Pioche, NV · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Data collection · Final report · Jun 28, 2020 · N7530B · Substantial damage
  > The 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 CEN20LA442](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN20LA442.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Sterling City, TX · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Mar 12, 2020 · N4386W · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from power lines during an aerial application flight.
- [NTSB CEN20CA085](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN20CA085.md): Robinson R44 · Marfa, TX · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Feb 14, 2020 · N441KA · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a fence during low-altitude maneuvering.
- [NTSB GAA19CA473](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA473.md): Robinson R44 · Fessenden, ND · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jul 31, 2019 · N3066T · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from wires during an agricultural application flight.
- [NTSB WPR19FA188](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR19FA188.md): Robinson R44 · Hayward, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jul 15, 2019 · N144TG · Substantial damage
  > The pilots’ loss of control during a low altitude maneuver for undetermined reasons, which resulted in impact with terrain.
- [NTSB ERA19TA204](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA19TA204.md): Robinson R44 · Parsons, WV · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Final report · Jun 29, 2019 · N883TY · Substantial damage
  > The 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 GAA19CA110](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA110.md): Robinson R44 · Grace, ID · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jan 3, 2019 · N4246Z · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the power lines.
- [NTSB GAA18CA453](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA453.md): Robinson R44 · Elma, IA · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jul 27, 2018 · N466EL · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure maintain clearance from power lines during an agricultural application flight.
- [NTSB ANC17LA040](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC17LA040.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 · Solomon, AK · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Aug 3, 2017 · N4138M · Substantial damage
  > The 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 CEN17CA346](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN17CA346.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Logan, IA · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jul 20, 2017 · N192E · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from a wire during an agricultural application flight.
- [NTSB GAA17CA401](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA401.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 · Paoli, IN · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jul 7, 2017 · N3203D · Substantial damage
  > The 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 GAA16CA488](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA488.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Cedar City, UT · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Sep 14, 2016 · N46HF · Substantial damage
  > The flight instructor’s delayed remedial action while providing hover instruction in gusting wind conditions, which resulted in dynamic roll-over.
- [NTSB CEN16FA215](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN16FA215.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Jonesboro, AR · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jun 12, 2016 · N789MR · Destroyed
  > The 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 GAA15CA232](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA15CA232.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Prairie Lea, TX · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jul 16, 2015 · N804DF · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain rotor rpm, resulting in an uncontrolled descent and collision with trees.
- [NTSB CEN14LA487](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN14LA487.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Macedonia, IA · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 6, 2014 · N699TQ · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s inadequate visual lookout, which resulted in a collision with a static line.
- [NTSB WPR14CA270](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR14CA270.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Quincy, WA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jun 27, 2014 · N560LH · Substantial damage
  > The 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 CEN13FA517](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN13FA517.md): Robinson R44 II · Caballo, NM · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Aug 31, 2013 · N3156U · Substantial damage
  > The 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 CEN13LA507](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN13LA507.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Clayton, NM · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 26, 2013 · N744KA · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's loss of vertical control after the helicopter encountered a gusty tailwind while maneuvering at a low altitude and near the helicopter's maximum gross weight.
- [NTSB WPR12LA259](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR12LA259.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · East Wenatchee, WA · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 12, 2012 · N282MC · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to adequately monitor the environment and maintain clearance from the power lines while maneuvering at low altitude.
- [NTSB CEN11FA468](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN11FA468.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Rising Sun, IN · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jul 9, 2011 · N42333 · Substantial damage
  > The noninstrument-rated pilot's decision to continue the visual flight rules flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in his spatial disorientation and failure to maintain clearance from terrain.
- [NTSB WPR09CA470](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR09CA470.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Mt Charleston, NV · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Sep 28, 2009 · N29LE · Destroyed
  > The 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 WPR09CA224](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR09CA224.md): Robinson R44 · Cottonwood, AZ · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · May 3, 2009 · N441CB · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's inadequate visual lookout and failure to maintain clearance from wires.
- [NTSB WPR09CA105](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR09CA105.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Bountiful, UT · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Feb 1, 2009 · N944U · Substantial damage
  > The 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…

## 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" = '220' 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/220/sequence?model=7640122

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