NTSB investigations: Robinson Helicopter R44
43 cases on aircraft the registry lists as Robinson Helicopter R44, where the sequence of events included Loss of control in flight. 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 | 2 |
|---|---|
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2010 | 3 |
| 2011 | 2 |
| 2013 | 2 |
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2015 | 1 |
| 2016 | 2 |
| 2017 | 4 |
| 2018 | 6 |
| 2019 | 3 |
| 2020 | 3 |
| 2021 | 3 |
| 2022 | 3 |
| 2023 | 4 |
| 2024 | 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 ('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\" = '240' 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" = '240' 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 CEN24LA343Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 · Grand Forks, NDThe student pilot’s failure to maintain helicopter control which resulted in impact with the ground. Contributing to the outcome was the flight instructor’s delayed remedial action.NTSB ANC24FA063Accident · 3 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 · Kekaha, HIAn encounter with turbulence due to downdraft winds that resulted in mast bumping and an in-flight breakup.NTSB CEN24LA135Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 · Knox City, TXThe pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during takeoff, which resulted in a rollover and an impact with terrain.NTSB ERA23LA350Accident · Serious injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 · Immokalee, FLThe flight instructor’s inadequate supervision of the student pilot during hover flight, which resulted in main rotor blade contact with the ground after the student pilot applied a sudden control input.NTSB ERA23LA287Accident · Minor injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 · Myrtle Beach, SCThe pilot’s failure to maintain control of the helicopter during a hover taxi, which resulted in a rollover.NTSB CEN23LA219Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 · Pontiac, MIThe flight crew’s inadequate compensation for gusting wind, and the flight instructor’s delayed remedial action, which resulted in impact with the ground.NTSB CEN23LA130Accident · Serious injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 · De Kalb, TXThe pilot’s inability to maintain control of the helicopter due to his failure to maintain rotor speed. Contributing to the accident was the failure of the helicopter’s low rotor speed warning system.NTSB WPR22LA329Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 Clipper 1 · Deadhorse, AKThe pilot's failure to maintain helicopter control during a descent, which resulted in a collision with terrain.NTSB CEN22LA234Accident · Serious injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 · Henderson, TXThe partial loss of engine power in a hover due to a stuck exhaust valve.NTSB CEN22FA151Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 · Rowlett, TXA loss of helicopter control while maneuvering, which resulted in main rotor blade contact with the tailboom in flight, tail boom separation, and an uncontrolled descent.NTSB ERA21LA191Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 · Forkston, PAThe pilot’s inadequate preflight weather planning, which resulted in an inadvertent encounter with instrument meteorological conditions at night, spatial disorientation, and collision with terrain.NTSB CEN21LA184Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 · Johnson, KSThe pilot's inadequate pedal application during a transition to hover, which resulted in a loss of yaw control and a subsequent impact with terrain.NTSB CEN21LA155Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 · Dunn, TXThe loss of rotor RPM for reasons that could not be determined based on available evidence.NTSB CEN21LA095Accident · Minor injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 · Morris, ILThe pilot's inadequate pedal application during liftoff with a tailwind, which resulted in a loss of yaw control and a subsequent impact with terrain.NTSB CEN21LA084Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportRobinson R44 · Colorado City, TXThe pilot’s loss of control and exceedance of performance and/or structural limitations during low-altitude operations, which resulted in an inflight breakup.. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s impairment from the effects of tetrahydrocannabinol.NTSB CEN20LA286Accident · Minor injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportRobinson R44 · Welsh, LAA partial loss of engine power while in flight due to corrosion of engine components, which resulted in a loss of control and a subsequent impact with terrain.NTSB ERA19LA287Accident · Serious injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportRobinson R44 · Sanford, METhe student pilot's failure to maintain helicopter control while hover-taxiing in gusting wind conditions.NTSB WPR19FA123Accident · 3 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportRobinson R44 · Kailua, HIThe helicopter’s encounter with a strong downdraft or outflow boundary while operating at a higher than recommended airspeed in turbulence which resulted in a low-G condition, excessive main rotor flapping, and an in-flight breakup when the main rotor…NTSB GAA19CA124Accident · Serious injuriesData collectionFinal reportRobinson R44 · Santa Maria Island, FLThe pilot's loss of helicopter control while maneuvering at a low altitude after being struck in the head by a bird.NTSB GAA19CA063Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportRobinson R44 · Knox City, TXThe pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed with a tailwind, which resulted in the helicopter settling with power, and his subsequent incorrect collective application while attempting to recover, which resulted in a loss of helicopter control due to a…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 GAA18CA450Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportRobinson R44 · Lantana, FLThe student pilot’s improper pitch control during landing, which resulted in a dynamic rollover.NTSB GAA18CA408Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportRobinson R44 · Rulo, NEThe pilot's improper collective application, which resulted in low rotor rpm during the takeoff climb and a subsequent ground collision. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s self-induced pressure to complete the operation.NTSB GAA18CA247Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 · Sonora, TXThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from trees while maneuvering at a low altitude.NTSB WPR18FA077Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 · Newport Beach, CAThe pilot's failure to perform weight and balance calculations before departing on the flight, which resulted in his operation of the helicopter outside of its published weight and balance limitations and a subsequent loss of control shortly after takeoff.NTSB WPR18LA031Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 · Page, AZThe pilot's failure to maintain pitch control of the helicopter while transitioning from a hover to forward flight.NTSB WPR18LA010Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 · Molokai, HIA descent and subsequent impact with open ocean waters for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information.NTSB GAA17CA491Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 · Westby, WIThe pilot's failure to see and avoid power lines while maneuvering at low altitude.NTSB CEN17LA267Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 · Ireland, INThe pilot's failure to apply the proper procedures to recover from a loss of tail rotor effectiveness, which resulted in a loss of control during an aerial application turn.NTSB GAA16CA279Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 · Las Vegas, NVThe pilot receiving instruction's incorrect action of interfering with the flight controls and failure to comply with the flight instructor's commands, which resulted in a loss of lateral bank control and a rollover.NTSB ERA16FA143Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportRobinson R44 · Canadensis, PAThe pilot's loss of control due to spatial disorientation, which occurred after ascending in order to clear rising terrain and inadvertently entering the clouds.NTSB GAA16CA075Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 · West Palm Beach, FLThe student pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing, which resulted in a horizontal rotation of the helicopter, and abnormal runway contact.NTSB CEN14CA403Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 · Allen, NEThe pilot did not ensure sufficient obstacle clearance for potential wind conditions, which resulted in his loss of control of the helicopter.NTSB CEN13LA448Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportRobinson R44 · Capron, ILThe pilot's failure to maintain main rotor speed while maneuvering at low altitude during an agricultural application flight, which resulted in an uncontrolled descent into terrain.NTSB ERA13FA186Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportRobinson R44 · Miami, FLThe mechanic's failure to properly secure the pitch link hardware of one main rotor blade to the rotating swash plate, which resulted in the pitch link separating in flight and the pilot's subsequent loss of control. Contributing to the accident was the…NTSB CEN11LA648Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 · Ocate, NMThe pilot’s failure to apply carburetor heat, which resulted in the formation of carburetor ice and a partial loss of engine power.NTSB ERA11LA380Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 · Lakewood, NJThe pilot’s inadequate yaw control of the helicopter while hovering.NTSB ERA10CA407Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 · Aguadilla, PRThe pilot's inadequate preflight performance calculations, which resulted in the overweight helicopter's lack of hover capability out of ground effect.NTSB ANC10LA053Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 · Unalaska, AKThe pilot's inappropriate low altitude maneuvering, which resulted in a collision with terrain.NTSB WPR10CA192Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportRobinson R44 · Temecula, CAThe pilot's failure to maintain control of the helicopter during takeoff.NTSB ERA09FA497Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportRobinson R44 · Jackson, MSThe pilot's failure to maintain adequate main rotor rpm, for undetermined reasons.NTSB ERA09LA051Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 · San Juan, PRThe detachment of the forward left servo control tube upper rod end attachment bolt during a hover due to separation of its retaining nut for undetermined reasons.NTSB MIA08FA044Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportRobinson R44 · Ochopee, FLThe pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control while maneuvering. Contributing to the accident were a tailwind condition and the pilot's inadequate in-flight planning/decision.