# NTSB investigations: Robinson Helicopter R44 II: Loss of control in flight

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.

Page 1 of 2 · 52 cases

## Latest cases

- [NTSB CEN26LA317](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN26LA317.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Natchez, MS · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Sep 13, 2026 · N7527L · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to complete a preflight weight and balance calculation, which resulted in a center of gravity beyond the forward limit, and adversely affected the helicopter’s controllability during takeoff.
- [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 WPR25LA239](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR25LA239.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Ponderosa Pines, MT · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Aug 3, 2025 · N750GT · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s improper pedal application during an approach to a hover.
- [NTSB ERA25LA267](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA25LA267.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Inlet, NY · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jul 9, 2025 · N67RW · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain control of the helicopter during the landing.
- [NTSB CEN25LA237](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN25LA237.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Pecos, TX · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jul 4, 2025 · N992TP · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain aircraft control during gusty wind conditions.
- [NTSB CEN25FA183](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN25FA183.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Miami, TX · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Preliminary report · May 23, 2025 · N1195P · Destroyed
  > On May 23, 2025, about 0718 central daylight time, a Robinson Helicopter Company R44 II helicopter, N1195P, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Miami, Texas. The student pilot was fatally injured. The helicopter was operated as a Title 14…
- [NTSB CEN25FA104](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN25FA104.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 · Uvalde, TX · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Preliminary report · Feb 27, 2025 · N144SG · Substantial damage
  > On February 27, 2025, about 1319 central standard time, a Robinson Helicopter Company (RHC) R44 helicopter, N144SG, sustained substantial damage when it was involved in an accident near Uvalde, Texas. The commercial pilot and the passenger sustained fatal…
- [NTSB CEN25LA073](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN25LA073.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Buras, LA · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jan 8, 2025 · N430JM · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain control during a hover taxi with a quartering tailwind.
- [NTSB WPR24LA307](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24LA307.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Basin, MT · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Sep 15, 2024 · N233WT · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s decision to continue performing a high-performance takeoff in a full throttle and low-rotor-rpm condition, which resulted in a loss of control and subsequent impact with terrain.
- [NTSB WPR23LA170](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23LA170.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Van Nuys, CA · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Apr 28, 2023 · N549TS · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain lateral control of the helicopter, which resulted in a hard landing.
- [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 WPR22LA220](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR22LA220.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Auburn, WA · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jun 18, 2022 · N944BC · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot’s loss of helicopter control and the flight instructor’s delayed remedial action while providing hover training which resulted in a dynamic rollover.
- [NTSB ERA22LA236](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA22LA236.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Nashua, NH · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · May 23, 2022 · N666U · Substantial damage
  > The flight instructor’s failure to maintain control of the helicopter during the takeoff, which resulted in a dynamic rollover.
- [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 ERA22FA098](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA22FA098.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Bronson, FL · Accident · 4 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Dec 31, 2021 · N442VB · Destroyed
  > A loss of control due to spatial disorientation as a result of the noninstrument-rated pilot’s improper decision to attempt a visual flight rules flight at night into an area of known reduced visibility due to fog.
- [NTSB CEN22LA034](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN22LA034.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Fort Davis, TX · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Nov 10, 2021 · N3027W · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s encounter of a downdraft from which there was insufficient altitude to recover.
- [NTSB ERA22FA010](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA22FA010.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Cornwall, NY · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Oct 10, 2021 · N637HP · Destroyed
  > The non-instrument-rated pilot’s continued flight into deteriorating weather conditions, which resulted in a loss of control due to spatial disorientation.
- [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 CEN21LA173](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21LA173.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Dustin, OK · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Mar 26, 2021 · N178DF · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s insufficient monitoring of the helicopter’s power while flying at low altitude and at low airspeed, which resulted in the loss of rotor rpm and impact with a tree and terrain.
- [NTSB CEN19TA178](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN19TA178.md): Robinson R44 · La Ward, TX · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Final report · Jun 21, 2019 · N445AP · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain helicopter control during a course reversal, which resulted in impact with terrain.
- [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 CEN19LA065](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN19LA065.md): Robinson R44 · Uvalde, TX · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jan 8, 2019 · N484AB · Substantial damage
  > The slipping of the sprag clutch due to galling of the sprags and corresponding sprag contact surfaces within the clutch assembly, which rendered the helicopter uncontrollable.
- [NTSB ERA18FA187](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA18FA187.md): Robinson R44 · Williamsburg, VA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jul 8, 2018 · N616HS · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to safely operate the helicopter due to his impaired cognitive and physical abilities, which resulted in a loss of control.
- [NTSB ANC18LA032](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC18LA032.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 · Fairbanks, AK · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Apr 20, 2018 · N511CC · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain helicopter control while in a hovering turn, which resulted in a collision with obstacles.
- [NTSB GAA18CA140](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA140.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 · Woodland, CA · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Feb 24, 2018 · N630ML · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s distraction due to her malfunctioning iPad, which led to her inadvertent forward cyclic application.
- [NTSB CEN17FA209](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN17FA209.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Dimmitt, TX · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jun 3, 2017 · N7091F · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's incapacitation due to scarring from previous heart attacks and severe hypertrophy of the left ventricular wall which resulted in arrhythmia and a loss of control while maneuvering at low altitude.
- [NTSB GAA17CA165](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA165.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 · Spofford, TX · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Feb 19, 2017 · N804DF · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's decision to hover-taxi out of the hangar and his subsequent failure to maintain clearance from the hangar.
- [NTSB GAA17CA070](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA070.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 · Stone Lake, WI · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Nov 12, 2016 · N744JS · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain lateral control while in a hover and the helicopter’s subsequent impact with a tree.
- [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 GAA16CA160](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA160.md): Robinson R44 · Oak Island, NC · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Mar 23, 2016 · N843JB · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot's failure to maintain a stabilized hover, resulting in a loss of control and an impact with terrain.
- [NTSB CEN16LA039](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN16LA039.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Alpine, TX · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 13, 2015 · N449MC · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate rotor speed while maneuvering at low altitude, which resulted in a descent from which he was unable to recover. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's decision to conduct the flight at or near the helicopter's…
- [NTSB ERA15FA164](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA15FA164.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Orlando, FL · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Mar 22, 2015 · N30242 · Destroyed
  > An inflight loss of control due to the likely detachment of the forward left servo control tube upper rod end attachment bolt.
- [NTSB CEN14CA223](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN14CA223.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Liberty, MO · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Apr 25, 2014 · N32VB · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain directional control while operating in gusty wind conditions at a low altitude.
- [NTSB CEN14LA149](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN14LA149.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Presidio, TX · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Feb 24, 2014 · N360AH · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain sufficient rotor rpm when transitioning the helicopter from a hover to forward flight, which resulted in a loss of helicopter control.
- [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 WPR13LA188](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR13LA188.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Ocean Shores, WA · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Apr 12, 2013 · N442FG · Substantial damage
  > The pilots’ loss of helicopter control during the approach to landing.
- [NTSB CEN13FA010](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN13FA010.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Blanco, TX · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Oct 12, 2012 · N474FA · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's loss of helicopter control as a result of spatial disorientation due to dark night conditions and marginal visual flight rules weather conditions.
- [NTSB WPR12CA431](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR12CA431.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · McMinnville, OR · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Sep 20, 2012 · N74744 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's aggressive takeoff maneuver, which resulted in a loss of control.
- [NTSB WPR12CA162](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR12CA162.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Henderson, NV · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Apr 9, 2012 · N55NZ · Substantial damage
  > The pilot did not maintain directional and yaw control of the helicopter during approach and landing, which resulted in a dynamic rollover.
- [NTSB CEN12FA139](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN12FA139.md): Robinson R44 II · Centerville, LA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jan 19, 2012 · N369TL · Substantial damage
  > The pilot allowed the helicopter to settle with power while maneuvering at low altitude.
- [NTSB CEN12FA091](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN12FA091.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Hackensack, MN · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 25, 2011 · N821JV · Substantial damage
  > The helicopter's sudden yaw and subsequent impact with the water for reasons that could not be determined during postaccident examination of the helicopter and its systems.
- [NTSB CEN11CA511](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN11CA511.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Broomfield, CO · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jul 23, 2011 · N915BW · Substantial damage
  > A loss of control due to the pilot's diverted attention as a result of an open door.
- [NTSB ERA11FA272](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA11FA272.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Indiana, PA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · May 1, 2011 · N445AB · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's operation of the helicopter at a low-forward airspeed out of ground effect, which resulted in the helicopter’s loss of translational lift and tail rotor authority and the pilot’s subsequent loss of helicopter control.
- [NTSB CEN10CA417](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN10CA417.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Shreveport, LA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jul 19, 2010 · N721BB · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot's failure to maintain control of the helicopter during takeoff, resulting in a loss of tail rotor effectiveness and a subsequent hard landing.
- [NTSB CEN10CA369](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN10CA369.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Austin, TX · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jul 4, 2010 · N74546 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the helicopter, resulting in impact with trees. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's failure to ensure the door was properly secured prior to flight.
- [NTSB CEN10CA082](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN10CA082.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Abilene, TX · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Dec 18, 2009 · N442RS · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the air taxi with shifting winds.
- [NTSB ANC09LA098](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC09LA098.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Central, AK · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 7, 2009 · N4186Y · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain control of the helicopter after an in-flight encounter with a downdraft while landing. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s inadequate evaluation of wind conditions.
- [NTSB WPR09LA411](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR09LA411.md): Robinson R44 · Tonopah, NV · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 21, 2009 · N19DV · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maneuver the helicopter within its performance capabilities while at a low altitude in mountainous terrain and in high density altitude conditions.
- [NTSB WPR09FA076](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR09FA076.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · West Valley City, UT · Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report · Jan 9, 2009 · N168SH · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s inadvertent VFR flight into IMC conditions, which resulted in his spatial disorientation and loss of control of the helicopter. Also causal was the flight instructor’s delay in taking remedial action.
- [NTSB DFW08FA218](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW08FA218.md): Robinson R44 II · Ridgedale, MO · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Aug 29, 2008 · N41411 · Destroyed
  > An in-flight loss of control for undetermined reasons.

Next page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/cases.md?model=7640122&page=2

## 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' e WHERE e.case_mkey = x.case_mkey AND e.aircrafts_position = x.position AND e."isDefiningEvent" AND e."tier2Number" = '240'))
ORDER BY c."eventDate" DESC, c."ntsbNumber" DESC
```

This list as a web page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/cases?model=7640122

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.