# NTSB investigations: Robinson Helicopter R44 II, 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 CEN26LA148](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN26LA148.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Stonewall, TX · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Preliminary report · Mar 24, 2026 · N233JD · Substantial damage
  > On March 24, 2026, about 0930 central daylight time, a Robinson R44 II helicopter, N233JD, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Stonewall, Texas. The pilot and passenger were seriously injured. The helicopter was operated as a…
- [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 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 WPR23LA263](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23LA263.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Marble Falls, TX · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jul 9, 2023 · N163RK · Substantial damage
  > A total loss of engine power due to fuel contamination from an unknown source.
- [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 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 CEN18LA069](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN18LA069.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Albany, TX · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jan 8, 2018 · N797JR · Substantial damage
  > A loss of helicopter control for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination did not reveal any evidence of mechanical malfunctions or failures of the main rotor and tail rotor systems that would have precluded normal operation.
- [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 GAA17CA165](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA165.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 · Spofford, TX · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Feb 19, 2017 · N804DF · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's decision to hover-taxi out of the hangar and his subsequent failure to maintain clearance from the hangar.
- [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 GAA15CA232](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA15CA232.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Prairie Lea, TX · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jul 16, 2015 · N804DF · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain rotor rpm, resulting in an uncontrolled descent and collision with trees.
- [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 CEN14CA142](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN14CA142.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Bonham, TX · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Feb 14, 2014 · N494SH · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's inadequate recovery from a loss of tail rotor effectiveness during a low altitude downwind hover in a gusty wind condition resulting in the helicopter contacting the ground and rolling over.
- [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 CEN10CA369](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN10CA369.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Austin, TX · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jul 4, 2010 · N74546 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the helicopter, resulting in impact with trees. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's failure to ensure the door was properly secured prior to flight.
- [NTSB CEN10CA082](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN10CA082.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Abilene, TX · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Dec 18, 2009 · N442RS · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the air taxi with shifting winds.
- [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.
- [NTSB DFW08CA177](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW08CA177.md): Robinson R44 II · Canyon Lake, TX · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jul 5, 2008 · N804DF · Substantial damage
  > A total loss of tail rotor effectiveness. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's improper decision to operate inside the height velocity curve.
- [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 DFW06FA102](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW06FA102.md): Robinson R44 II · Fredericksburg, TX · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Apr 13, 2006 · N123CK · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance with the power lines. Contributing factors were the dusk light condition and the pilot's non-compliance with standard taxi and takeoff procedures.
- [NTSB DFW05CA250](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW05CA250.md): Robinson R44 · Batesville, TX · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Sep 21, 2005 · N748BP · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain rotor rpm and his subsequent encounter with settling with power.

## 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.aircraft_model_code IN ('7640122', '7640123'))
ORDER BY c."eventDate" DESC, c."ntsbNumber" DESC
```

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

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