# NTSB CEN26LA148: Robinson Helicopter R44 II, N233JD, Stonewall, TX, March 24, 2026

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Preliminary report
- Date: March 24, 2026, 09:30 local (14:30 UTC)
- Place: Stonewall, TX · Private ranch location
- Coordinates: 30.123925, -98.715988
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.1239&lon=-98.7160&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious
- Status: Investigation ongoing
- Investigation class: Class 3
- NTSB office: Central Region
- Parties: FAA San Antonio FSDO, Robinson Helicopter, Lycoming
- NTSB case key (mKey): 202700
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN26LA148
- NTSB preliminary report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/202700/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN26LA148

## Preliminary report

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 Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 aerial observation flight. According to the pilot, she conducted a normal preflight inspection of the helicopter and found no anomalies. She stated that the purpose of the flight was to use the helicopter to flush wildlife into an open pasture for observation. While in a hover, about 15 to 30 ft above the tree line, she heard a loud “pop” and felt the helicopter jerk. The helicopter immediately entered an uncontrolled descent into terrain. The pilot reported that the helicopter would not respond to inputs made with the anti-torque pedals. The pilot, passenger, and a witness reported hearing a loud “pop” from the helicopter before the sound of the engine went quiet. According to the passenger, the helicopter shook violently after the “pop” was heard and then rotated rapidly in a clockwise direction. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the fuselage, the main rotor system, the tailboom, and the tail rotor system. The helicopter was recovered to a secure facility for further examination.

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220) (defining event); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44 II, 45 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md?model=7640122), [All aircraft, 780 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md)

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N233JD](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N233JD), registered now, S/N 10300, built 2004 (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 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-540-series) (registry code 41530, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 10300
- Year built: 2004
- Airframe hours: 1966.8
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial observation, Part 91
- Operator: Sulphur Creek Helicopters LLC
- Registered owner: Sulphur Creek Helicopters LLC
- Last inspection: Annual, December 22, 2025
- Destination: Same as departure

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 59 °F
- Altimeter: 30.12 inHg
- Observed at: KT82, 12 nm away
- METAR: METAR KT82 241435Z AUTO 18009KT 10SM FEW012 19/15 A3012 RMK AO2

## 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 20260324003489A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20260324003489A), Mar 24, 2026: Robinson Helicopter Company R44 II, Fredericksburg, TX, Substantial damage. On March 24, 2026, at approximately 0930 local time, a Robinson R44 ii helicopter was substantially damaged during an accident that occurred on a private ranch…

## Other investigations on N233JD (1)

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.

- [NTSB WPR17LA168](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR17LA168), Jul 25, 2017: Robinson Helicopter R44 II (N233JD), Lake Sutherlin, MT, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s transition into an out-of-ground-effect hover in high-density altitude conditions that exceeded the helicopter’s performance capabilities, which resulted in loss of rotor rpm.

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.

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