# NTSB ANC25LA064: Robinson Helicopter R44 II, N531AT, Palmer, AK, June 30, 2025 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: June 29, 2025, 20:05 local (Jun 30, 2025, 04:05 UTC) - Place: Palmer, AK · Mountains - Coordinates: 61.441667, -148.759 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.4417&lon=-148.7590&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of visual reference](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/402) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 4 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 200463 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC25LA064 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/200463/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=200463 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC25LA064 ## Probable cause The pilot’s diverted attention during takeoff in flat light conditions, which resulted in a loss of visual reference with terrain. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Attention/monitoring: monitoring environment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44 II, 29 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md?model=7640122), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md) - [Workload management](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02064000): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44 II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02064000/cases.md?model=7640122), [All aircraft, 14 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02064000/cases.md) - [Terrain: high elevation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021025): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44 II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021025/cases.md?model=7640122), [All aircraft, 16 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021025/cases.md) - [Light condition: flat light](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036025): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on personnel (probable cause); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44 II, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036025/cases.md?model=7640122), [All aircraft, 42 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036025/cases.md) - [Perception/orientation/illusion: situational awareness](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02022035): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44 II, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02022035/cases.md?model=7640122), [All aircraft, 111 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02022035/cases.md) - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44 II, 40 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=7640122), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Training: training with equipment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031530): Personnel issues › Experience/knowledge · Pilot; cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44 II, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031530/cases.md?model=7640122), [All aircraft, 32 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031530/cases.md) - [Personality/attitude: confidence/reliance on equip](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021015): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot; cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44 II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021015/cases.md?model=7640122), [All aircraft, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021015/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Loss of visual reference](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/402) (defining event); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44 II, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/402/sequence.md?model=7640122), [All aircraft, 242 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/402/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that she was departing from an area of mountainous, snow-covered terrain with flat light conditions. She said that after takeoff, while in a high hover, she made a left pedal turn on departure to avoid obstacles and other parked helicopters. As the helicopter was turning, an advisory light illuminated on the instrument panel. She focused her attention inside on the light and when she looked back outside everything appeared white and she lost all visual reference with the terrain. Subsequently the helicopter impacted the snow-covered terrain and rolled over to the left. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the tailboom and fuselage. The operator reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N531AT](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N531AT), registered now, S/N 14025, built 2016 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: ROBINSON HELICOPTER COMPANY R44 II - Registry model: [Robinson Helicopter R44 II](https://openairdocs.org/model/robinson-helicopter-r44-ii) (registry code 7640122) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-540-AE1A5](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-540-ae1a5) (registry code 41899, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 14025 - Year built: 2016 - Airframe hours: 1595.5 - Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-AE1A5 260 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Business, Part 135 - Operator: Elevate Aviation LLC - Registered owner: R44 Leasing LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, April 7, 2025, 47 hours before - Departed: PVT, Palmer, AK - Destination: PVT, Palmer, AK - Flight plan: Company VFR - Equipment: Satellite tracking device, Electronic flight bag or handheld device, ADS-B ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 36; injuries: none; private, flight instructor, commercial; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review April 20, 2025; seat: right; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 654 total, 226 in this make and model, 560 as pilot in command, 103 in the last 90 days, 51 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 140° at 13 knots, gusting 24 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 6,500 ft overcast - Temperature: 59 °F, dew point 45 °F - Altimeter: 30.03 inHg - Observed at: PAAQ, 13 nm away - METAR: PAAQ 300353Z AUTO 14013G24KT 10SM OVC065 15/07 A3003 RMK AO2 SLP169 T01500072 TSNO ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20250629008789A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20250629008789A), Jun 29, 2025: Robinson Helicopter Company R44 II, Palmer, AK, Substantial damage. Pilot took off from glacier setting with snow covered terrain and flat light conditions. Upon lift up to about 50'AGL facing eastward, pilot initiated left… ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 5, 2025, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=200463. 2.0 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 10 pages, 1.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=19246905&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=064%20Point%20One_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Pilot statement (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 39 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=19043409&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=ANC25LA064%20Pilot%20Statement-Rel.pdf - Pilot interview (item 3, PDF, 2 pages, 87 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=19094962&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=ANC25LA064%20Pilot%20Interview-Rel.pdf - Investigative photograph (item 4, PDF, 2 pages, 171 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=19042881&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=ANC25LA064%20Photo-Rel.pdf From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. --- 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.