# Fatal NTSB investigations: Robinson Helicopter R44 II

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 · 54 cases

## Latest cases

- [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 CEN25FA034](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN25FA034.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Iowa, LA · Accident · 3 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Preliminary report · Nov 2, 2024 · N62CD · Destroyed
  > On 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 CEN25FA019](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN25FA019.md): Robinson R44 · Houston, TX · Accident · 4 fatal · Class 2 · Field · Final report · Oct 21, 2024 · N881KE · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from a lighted radio tower during a visual night flight. Contributing to the accident was the air traffic controller’s failure to issue a safety alert notifying the pilot of the flight’s unsafe proximity to the tower.
- [NTSB WPR24FA200](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24FA200.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Bluestem, WA · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jun 19, 2024 · N323TT · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s failure to manage main rotor rpm during an autorotation, which resulted in a loss of helicopter control. Contributing to the accident was a loss of power for reasons that could not be determined.
- [NTSB CEN23FA142](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23FA142.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Port Allen, LA · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Mar 26, 2023 · N441PD · Destroyed
  > The 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 CEN23FA125](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23FA125.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 · Port O'Connor, TX · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Mar 7, 2023 · N494SH · Destroyed
  > The 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 GAA22WA311](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA22WA311.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Kildare, Ireland · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 5 · Foreign · Dec 11, 2022 · N999RL · Destroyed
- [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 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 ERA22FA096](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA22FA096.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Cosby, TN · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Dec 29, 2021 · N544SC · Substantial damage
  > The 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 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 ERA21LA295](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA21LA295.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Point Harbor, NC · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jul 19, 2021 · N4529J · Destroyed
  > The 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 CEN21FA330](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21FA330.md): Robinson R44 · Elgin, MN · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jul 19, 2021 · N44BJ · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s decision to operate the helicopter under powerlines, which resulted in a main rotor blade striking a powerline, causing the helicopter to descend from a low altitude and impact terrain.
- [NTSB CEN20LA136](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN20LA136.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Audubon, IA · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Mar 31, 2020 · N107EH · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s failure to recognize and avoid the power line during the low-altitude flight. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s fatigue, which affected the pilot’s ability to see and avoid the power line.
- [NTSB WPR20FA013](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR20FA013.md): Robinson R44 · Las Vegas, NV · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Oct 23, 2019 · N225JM · Substantial damage
  > An undetermined inflight event that resulted in the pilot performing an autorotation to uneven terrain for reasons that could not be determined due to the extent of impact damage.
- [NTSB WPR19FA188](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR19FA188.md): Robinson R44 · Hayward, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jul 15, 2019 · N144TG · Substantial damage
  > The pilots’ loss of control during a low altitude maneuver for undetermined reasons, which resulted in impact with terrain.
- [NTSB CEN19FA160](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN19FA160.md): Robinson R44 · Cass, AR · Accident · 3 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jun 3, 2019 · N41351 · Substantial damage
  > A loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information.
- [NTSB WPR19FA148](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR19FA148.md): Robinson R44 · Alpine, UT · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · May 17, 2019 · N744TW · Substantial damage
  > The 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 ERA19FA142](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA19FA142.md): Robinson R44 II · Tampa, FL · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Apr 4, 2019 · N4046J · Substantial damage
  > Contamination 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 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 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 CEN16FA215](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN16FA215.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Jonesboro, AR · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jun 12, 2016 · N789MR · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to maintain helicopter control during takeoff. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's impairment due to his combined use of alcohol and diphenhydramine, which led to his improper decision to fly after drinking alcohol and degraded…
- [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 WPR15FA051](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR15FA051.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 · Bountiful, UT · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 2, 2014 · N3234U · Substantial damage
  > The pilot/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 a subsequent loss of control.
- [NTSB ERA15FA025](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA15FA025.md): Cirrus Design SR22 · Frederick, MD · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Oct 23, 2014 · N122ES · 2 aircraft · Substantial damage
  > The failure of the helicopter pilots and the airplane pilot to maintain an adequate visual lookout for known traffic in the traffic pattern, which resulted in a midair collision. Contributing to the accident were the airplane pilot's descent below the…
- [NTSB CEN14LA487](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN14LA487.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Macedonia, IA · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 6, 2014 · N699TQ · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s inadequate visual lookout, which resulted in a collision with a static line.
- [NTSB ANC14FA030](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC14FA030.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Chugiak, AK · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · May 28, 2014 · N392GP · Destroyed
  > The pilot's loss of control of the helicopter due to impairment or incapacitation from a sudden, acute cardiac event.
- [NTSB ERA14FA115](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA14FA115.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Panacea, FL · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Feb 9, 2014 · N571AC · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate clearance from trees during a takeoff at night. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s lack of recent night flight experience.
- [NTSB CEN13FA517](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN13FA517.md): Robinson R44 II · Caballo, NM · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Aug 31, 2013 · N3156U · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to see and avoid power lines while maneuvering near the ground because dust stirred up by the rotor wash obscured his visibility.
- [NTSB WPR13FA343](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR13FA343.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Thompson Falls, MT · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jul 27, 2013 · N25WH · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain helicopter control while operating in conditions conducive to a loss of tail rotor effectiveness.
- [NTSB CEN13FA295](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN13FA295.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Cross Timbers, MO · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · May 24, 2013 · N569BC · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to see and avoid a power line during the low-altitude flight.
- [NTSB WPR13FA054](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR13FA054.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Corona, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 26, 2012 · N4204A · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance between the helicopter’s main rotor blades and the metal canopy of a fuel island.
- [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 WPR12LA259](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR12LA259.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · East Wenatchee, WA · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 12, 2012 · N282MC · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to adequately monitor the environment and maintain clearance from the power lines while maneuvering at low altitude.
- [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 CEN11FA468](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN11FA468.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Rising Sun, IN · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jul 9, 2011 · N42333 · Substantial damage
  > The noninstrument-rated pilot's decision to continue the visual flight rules flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in his spatial disorientation and failure to maintain clearance from terrain.
- [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 ERA10FA403](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA10FA403.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Blairsville, GA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Aug 2, 2010 · N34JS · Substantial damage
  > The non-instrument-rated pilot's continued visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain.
- [NTSB WPR10LA354](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR10LA354.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Salt Lake City, UT · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 16, 2010 · N944DW · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's loss of directional control while attempting to move the helicopter laterally without first lifting it fully off its landing platform.
- [NTSB ERA10WA133](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA10WA133.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Restauracion, Dominican Republic, Dominican Republic · Accident · 2 fatal · Foreign investigation · Feb 4, 2010 · N7535F · Destroyed
  > On February 4, 2010, about 1940 Atlantic standard time, a Robinson R44II helicopter, N7535F, impacted the side of Mount Jina Mocha, in the city of Restauracion, Dominican Republic, at night, while en route from Port Au Prince, Haiti to Cibao International…
- [NTSB CEN09WA074](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09WA074.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Saint-Marc, Haiti · Accident · 1 fatal · Foreign investigation · Nov 18, 2008 · N72BS · Substantial damage
- [NTSB CHI08FA293](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI08FA293.md): Robinson R44 II · Kenosha, WI · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Sep 21, 2008 · N999ZD · Destroyed
  > The pilots failure to maintain clearance from terrain resulting in an in-flight collision with a house. Contributing to the accident was the night instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) and the pilot's lack of experience of flying in IMC.
- [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.
- [NTSB DFW08LA122](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW08LA122.md): Robinson R44 · Bartlett, TX · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Apr 28, 2008 · N477SH · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain tail rotor clearance from terrain (embankment) during takeoff.
- [NTSB SEA07FA223](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA07FA223.md): Robinson R44 II · Easton, WA · Accident · 4 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Aug 2, 2007 · N7531D · Destroyed
  > The pilot's improper planning/decision in attempting a downwind takeoff under high density altitude conditions that resulted in a loss of control and impact with terrain. Contributing to the accident were the helicopter's gross weight in excess of the maximum…
- [NTSB CHI07FA114](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI07FA114.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Bass Lake, IN · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Apr 23, 2007 · N382BT · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain a proper approach glidepath, which resulted in a settling-with-power flight condition. Contributing to the accident was the dark night light condition.
- [NTSB DEN07FA079](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN07FA079.md): Robinson R44 II · Ponte Vedra Bch, FL · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Mar 27, 2007 · N744SH · Destroyed
  > the mechanic's improper installation of the attachment hardware for the servo to swashplate push-pull tube joint which resulted in a disconnection, subsequent loss of control, and impact with terrain. Contributing factors were the company management's…
- [NTSB SEA06FA159](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA06FA159.md): Robinson R44 II · Warrenton, OR · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Aug 13, 2006 · N168PT · Destroyed
  > The pilot's intentional flight into instrument meteorological conditions while maneuvering which resulted in an in flight collision with terrain/water.

Next page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb.md?model=7640122&fatal=1&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."highestInjuryLevel" = 'Fatal'
  AND 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'))
ORDER BY c."eventDate" DESC, c."ntsbNumber" DESC
```

This list as a web page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb?fatal=1&model=7640122

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