# NTSB investigations: Lycoming IO-540-AE1A5, TX

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 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 CEN25LA389](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN25LA389.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 · Decatur, TX · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Sep 19, 2025 · N831VA · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s loss of control during an off-airport, pinnacle landing, and the flight instructor’s inadequate supervision of the instructional flight.
- [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 CEN22LA400](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN22LA400.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · San Isidro, TX · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Aug 21, 2022 · N4447A · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s improper decision to conduct an autorotation with a tailwind, which resulted in a hard landing and substantial damage.
- [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 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 CEN21LA109](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21LA109.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Albany, TX · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jan 9, 2021 · N322SH · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s inadequate pretakeoff checks which resulted in the magneto switch (key) remaining in the OFF position during the takeoff sequence and initial climb and the right magneto grounding intermittently.
- [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 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 ERA20LA054](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA20LA054.md): Robinson R44 · San Antonio, TX · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Dec 14, 2019 · N440AH · Substantial damage
  > Maintenance 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 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 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 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 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 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 GAA16CA006](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA006.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Devine, TX · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Oct 5, 2015 · N174CD · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain obstacle clearance during the takeoff, which resulted in the helicopter striking power lines.
- [NTSB CEN15LA439](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN15LA439.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Alice, TX · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 14, 2015 · N442CF · Substantial damage
  > A loss of engine power during a practice power recovery autorotation for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information.
- [NTSB CEN15LA375](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN15LA375.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Carlos, TX · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 22, 2015 · N445HS · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s improper decision to turn the helicopter toward a tailwind during an out-of-ground-effect hover, which resulted in a loss of tail rotor effectiveness. Contributing to the accident was the accident and lead pilots’ inadequate preflight risk…
- [NTSB CEN15CA093](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN15CA093.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Horseshoe Bay, TX · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Dec 29, 2014 · N174CD · Substantial damage
  > The helicopter's contact with the landing pad during a rejected landing.
- [NTSB CEN14LA197](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN14LA197.md): Robinson R44 - II · Menard, TX · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Mar 23, 2014 · N44MD · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s inadequate recovery from a practice autorotation, which resulted in an improper touchdown attitude and collision with terrain.
- [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 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 CEN13CA053](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN13CA053.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Bryan, TX · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Nov 6, 2012 · N131AA · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s over-correction in an attempt to stabilize the helicopter during liftoff.
- [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 CEN12CA643](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN12CA643.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Slaton, TX · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Sep 18, 2012 · N957R · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s misalignment of the helicopter during landing, which resulted in the helicopter’s fall from a raised platform.
- [NTSB CEN11CA126](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN11CA126.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Hemphill, TX · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Dec 22, 2010 · N841SA · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot’s improper decision to carry an unauthorized passenger and the passenger’s loss of control of the helicopter during take-off.
- [NTSB CEN09CA270](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09CA270.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Kent, TX · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Apr 23, 2009 · N518SJ · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain control of the helicopter.

## 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."eventStateOrRegion" = 'TX' AND c."eventCountry" = 'USA'
  AND c."mKey" IN (SELECT x.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_aircrafts.parquet' x WHERE x.engine_model_code IN ('41899'))
ORDER BY c."eventDate" DESC, c."ntsbNumber" DESC
```

This list as a web page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb?engine=41899&state=TX

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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.