NTSB investigations: Robinson Helicopter R44 II
94 cases on aircraft the registry lists as Robinson Helicopter R44 II, where the sequence of events included Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT). 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 | 5 |
|---|---|
| 2009 | 5 |
| 2010 | 1 |
| 2011 | 6 |
| 2012 | 5 |
| 2013 | 6 |
| 2014 | 6 |
| 2015 | 8 |
| 2016 | 5 |
| 2017 | 11 |
| 2018 | 6 |
| 2019 | 10 |
| 2020 | 2 |
| 2021 | 5 |
| 2022 | 2 |
| 2023 | 4 |
| 2024 | 2 |
| 2025 | 4 |
| 2026 | 1 |
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' s WHERE s.case_mkey = x.case_mkey AND s.aircrafts_position = x.position AND s.\"tier2Number\" = '470' 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 ('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" = '470' 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 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 CEN25LA359Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 II · Nashville, ARThe pilot’s inadequate fuel planning which resulted in a total loss of power due to fuel exhaustion. Contributing to the accident was the landing zone being unlit.NTSB WPR25LA262Accident · Minor injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 II · Burlington, WAThe pilot’s failure to see and avoid the light pole, which resulted in a collision with the light pole and subsequent ground impact.NTSB ERA25LA267Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 II · Inlet, NYThe pilot’s failure to maintain control of the helicopter during the landing.NTSB WPR25LA118Accident · Minor injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 II · Hobbs, NMThe student pilot’s loss of directional control during a hover, which resulted in an impact with terrain.NTSB CEN25FA034Accident · 3 fatalClass 3 · FieldPreliminary reportRobinson Helicopter R44 II · Iowa, LAOn November 1, 2024, about 2106 central daylight time, a Robinson R-44 II helicopter, N62CD, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Iowa, Louisiana. The pilot and two passengers were fatally injured. The helicopter was operated as a Title 14…NTSB CEN24LA112Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 II · Tupelo, MSThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from water during a dark night landing.NTSB CEN23LA306Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 II · Pocahontas, ILA reported loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.NTSB WPR23LA263Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 II · Marble Falls, TXA total loss of engine power due to fuel contamination from an unknown source.NTSB CEN23FA142Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 II · Port Allen, LAThe pilot’s decision to continue the visual flight rules flight into deteriorating weather conditions, which resulted in spatial disorientation and the loss of aircraft control.NTSB CEN23FA125Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 · Port O'Connor, TXThe pilot’s initiation of the visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in spatial disorientation and a subsequent loss of helicopter control. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s flicker vertigo during the flight.NTSB GAA22WA311Accident · 1 fatalClass 5 · ForeignRobinson Helicopter R44 II · Kildare, IrelandNTSB CEN22LA333Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 II · Waterloo, ILThe malfunction of the flight controls for undetermined reasons.NTSB ERA22FA096Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 II · Cosby, TNThe pilot’s intentional, continued flight into instrument meteorological conditions in a helicopter that was not certified for instrument conditions, which resulted in a loss of helicopter control and a collision with trees and terrain.NTSB ERA22FA010Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 II · Cornwall, NYThe non-instrument-rated pilot’s continued flight into deteriorating weather conditions, which resulted in a loss of control due to spatial disorientation.NTSB CEN21LA378Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 II · Gonzales, LAThe pilot’s inadvertent collision with a tree while landing at night which resulted in a hard landing.NTSB ERA21LA295Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 II · Point Harbor, NCThe noncertificated pilot’s decision to continue visual flight rules flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in spatial disorientation over a large body of water and a high velocity impact with the water. Contributing to the accident…NTSB ERA21LA292Accident · Serious injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 II · Princeton, KYThe pilot’s inadequate preflight planning in that he failed to accurately determine the takeoff weight of the helicopter, which resulted in exceeding the helicopter’s maximum weight capability.NTSB CEN21LA021Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 II · Washington, WIThe 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 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 ERA20LA054Accident · Minor injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportRobinson R44 · San Antonio, TXMaintenance personnel’s failure to complete all necessary steps of a service bulletin and subsequent failure to identify the loose lower actuator bearing support bracket during inspections, which resulted in the misalignment of the clutch actuator, resulted…NTSB GAA19CA473Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportRobinson R44 · Fessenden, NDThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from wires during an agricultural application flight.NTSB CEN19LA240Accident · Minor injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportRobinson R44 · Blair, NEThe failure of the lower actuator bearing support bracket, which resulted in the misalignment of the clutch actuator, the loss of belt tension on the main rotor drive system, and the subsequent forced landing on sloped terrain.NTSB GAA19CA428Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportRobinson R44 · Council Bluff, IAThe pilot's improper cyclic input during liftoff from a landing deck, which resulted in the right skid hooking onto an opening on the landing deck and a subsequent dynamic rollover.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 CEN19TA178Accident · No injuriesClass 3Final reportRobinson R44 · La Ward, TXThe pilot’s failure to maintain helicopter control during a course reversal, which resulted in impact with terrain.NTSB WPR19FA148Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportRobinson R44 · Alpine, UTThe noninstrument-rated pilot’s continued visual flight rules flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in spatial disorientation and subsequent loss of control. Contributing to the accident was hypoxia due to the high altitude at which…NTSB ERA19FA142Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportRobinson R44 II · Tampa, FLContamination of and an inadequate bond between the two layers of fabric comprising the helicopter engine's air induction inlet duct, which resulted a partial collapse of the duct, obstruction of the airflow into the engine, and a total loss of engine power.NTSB CEN19LA065Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportRobinson R44 · Uvalde, TXThe 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 GAA19CA110Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportRobinson R44 · Grace, IDThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the power lines.NTSB ANC18LA058Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportRobinson R44 · Bettles, AKMaintenance 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 GAA18CA453Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportRobinson R44 · Elma, IAThe pilot's failure maintain clearance from power lines during an agricultural application flight.NTSB GAA18CA430Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportRobinson R44 · Okawville, ILThe pilot's improper preflight weight and balance calculation, which resulted in his operating the helicopter over its maximum gross takeoff weight and in its subsequent failure to climb.NTSB ERA18FA187Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportRobinson R44 · Williamsburg, VAThe pilot's failure to safely operate the helicopter due to his impaired cognitive and physical abilities, which resulted in a loss of control.NTSB ANC18LA032Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 · Fairbanks, AKThe pilot's failure to maintain helicopter control while in a hovering turn, which resulted in a collision with obstacles.NTSB GAA18CA140Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 · Woodland, CAThe pilot’s distraction due to her malfunctioning iPad, which led to her inadvertent forward cyclic application.NTSB GAA18CA066Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 · New Orleans, LAThe pilot’s failure to land the helicopter with both skids on the trailer platform, which resulted in a loss of control.NTSB WPR17LA188Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 II · El Dorado Hills, CAMaintenance personnel's inadequate routine maintenance on the helicopter engine, which led to low cylinder compression, improper magneto timing, and camshaft lobe wear, which subsequently resulted in degraded engine performance.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 WPR17LA159Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 II · Van Nuys, CAAn 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 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 GAA17CA398Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 II · Pocahontas, ILThe helicopter pilot’s miscommunication with the ground crewmember during reloading operations, which resulted in a takeoff with the filler hose attached to the helicopter and subsequent impact with a truck.NTSB GAA17CA383Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 · Easton, PAThe pilot’s distraction during liftoff due to the tail rotor chip warning light illuminating, which resulted in the helicopter drifting right, the skid touching down, and a dynamic roll-over.NTSB CEN17FA209Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 II · Dimmitt, TXThe 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 ERA17LA168Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportRobinson R44 · Newton, NCThe pilot's failure to maintain an adequate airspeed during out-of-ground-effect maneuvering at a low airspeed with a tailwind, which resulted in a loss of helicopter control due to a loss of tail rotor effectiveness.NTSB GAA17CA165Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 · Spofford, TXThe pilot's decision to hover-taxi out of the hangar and his subsequent failure to maintain clearance from the hangar.NTSB WPR17LA043Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 II · Mt. Baldy, CAThe pilot's failure to maintain main rotor speed during a low orbiting approach over a confined mountainous area. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's decision to attempt to land in an area that did not allow for a safe exit path under conditions near…NTSB GAA17CA070Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 · Stone Lake, WIThe pilot’s failure to maintain lateral control while in a hover and the helicopter’s subsequent impact with a tree.NTSB WPR16LA168Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportRobinson R44 · Kailua/Kona, HIAn on-ground upset for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination of the helicopter revealed no evidence of mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.