# NTSB investigations: Robinson Helicopter R44 II: Off-field or emergency landing

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 CEN26LA276](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN26LA276.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Bennett, IA · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Preliminary report · Aug 2, 2026 · N26KL · Substantial damage
  > On 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 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 WPR25LA034](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR25LA034.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Durkee, OR · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Nov 7, 2024 · N4361R · Substantial damage
  > The 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 ANC24LA013](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC24LA013.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Glacier View, AK · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Feb 11, 2024 · N74868 · Substantial damage
  > A sudden stoppage of the tail rotor for unknown reasons, which resulted in the tortional overload failure of the tail rotor driveshaft.
- [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 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 ANC18LA058](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC18LA058.md): Robinson R44 · Bettles, AK · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 29, 2018 · N744AK · Substantial damage
  > Maintenance personnel's application of insufficient preload on the attachment hardware for the idler gear shaft during engine overhaul, which resulted in the dismounting of the idler gear shaft assembly due to wear and deformation and the subsequent total…
- [NTSB ERA18LA161](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA18LA161.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Fort Morgan, AL · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 7, 2018 · N755KT · Substantial damage
  > A partial loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident engine examinations did not reveal any evidence of preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.
- [NTSB WPR18LA133](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR18LA133.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Borrego Springs, CA · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Apr 30, 2018 · N423ML · Substantial damage
  > The 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 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 WPR17LA168](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR17LA168.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Lake Sutherlin, MT · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 25, 2017 · N233JD · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s transition into an out-of-ground-effect hover in high-density altitude conditions that exceeded the helicopter’s performance capabilities, which resulted in loss of rotor rpm.
- [NTSB WPR17LA159](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR17LA159.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Van Nuys, CA · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 21, 2017 · N3254E · Substantial damage
  > An 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 WPR17LA140](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR17LA140.md): Robinson R44 · Bella Vista, CA · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 3, 2017 · N488AS · Substantial damage
  > A partial loss of engine power during low-altitude maneuvering for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examinations of the engine and airframe revealed no evidence of any preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have…
- [NTSB ERA17LA163](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA17LA163.md): Robinson R44 · Orlando, FL · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Apr 20, 2017 · N899GB · Substantial damage
  > A 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 GAA16CA297](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA297.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 · Chireno, TX · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jun 7, 2016 · N41407 · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for landing, which resulted in the helicopter rolling over during landing, and substantial damage to the tail boom.
- [NTSB CEN15LA231](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN15LA231.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Columbia, IL · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · May 13, 2015 · N165RV · Substantial damage
  > A total loss of engine power while maneuvering at low altitude for reasons that could not be determined during postaccident examination.
- [NTSB ERA14LA311](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA14LA311.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Nashville, TN · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 24, 2014 · N544BS · Substantial damage
  > The 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 WPR13FA264](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR13FA264.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Los Angeles, CA · Accident · Minor injuries · Field investigation · Final report · Jun 6, 2013 · N915BW · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s loss of helicopter control following a precautionary landing, which resulted in a dynamic rollover.
- [NTSB CEN13LA228](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN13LA228.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Buffalo, SD · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Apr 13, 2013 · N424DP · Substantial damage
  > The 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 CEN13LA194](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN13LA194.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Eagle Nest, NM · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Mar 14, 2013 · N392GP · Substantial damage
  > A total loss of engine power due to a rapid throttle change during autorotation, which the flight instructor initiated in response to a low rotor rpm warning, which resulted from the separation of one of the magnets used to provide rotor rpm indications from…
- [NTSB CEN13CA124](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN13CA124.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Menard, TX · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jan 2, 2013 · N744RM · Substantial damage
  > The helicopter landed hard during a forced landing.
- [NTSB WPR10LA458](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR10LA458.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Mammoth, CA · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 16, 2010 · N2153S · Substantial damage
  > Dynamic rollover of the helicopter during a precautionary landing.
- [NTSB WPR09LA460](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR09LA460.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Valley Center, CA · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 20, 2009 · N4174P · Substantial damage
  > The failure of the engine’s camshaft due to fatigue of unknown origin.
- [NTSB LAX08LA183](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX08LA183.md): Robinson R44 II · Topanga, CA · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 15, 2008 · N168AG · Substantial damage
  > The in-flight separation of the tail rotor gear box for an undetermined reason. Contributing to the accident was the hilly terrain, which was unsuitable for a forced landing.
- [NTSB DFW08TA092](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW08TA092.md): Robinson R44 · Topeka, KS · Accident · No injuries · Final report · Apr 5, 2008 · N402PD · Substantial damage
  > A malfunctioning magneto, resulting in a high engine rpm and low rotor warning indications. A contributing factor was the impact with a light pole, during the precautionary landing.
- [NTSB NYC08CA083](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC08CA083.md): Robinson R44 II · Fenner, NY · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jan 15, 2008 · N122AA · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's delayed decision to perform a precautionary landing. Contributing to the accident was the reduced visibility in snow and the soft terrain.

## 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" = '440' 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/440/sequence?model=7640122

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