# NTSB CEN26LA168: Robinson Helicopter R44, N445JS, Mount Blanco, TX, April 17, 2026

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report
- Date: April 17, 2026, 10:40 local (15:40 UTC)
- Place: Mount Blanco, TX · Blanco Canyon.
- Coordinates: 33.769989, -101.22788 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.7700&lon=-101.2279&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 21, 2026
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish
- NTSB office: Central Region
- Parties: FAA Lubbock FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 202839
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN26LA168
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/202839/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=202839
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN26LA168

## Probable cause

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.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44 II, 99 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7640122), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md)
- [Action: incorrect action performance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44 II, 12 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md?model=7640122), [All aircraft, 1,386 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md)
- [Info processing/decision: identification/recognition](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44 II, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510/cases.md?model=7640122), [All aircraft, 559 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510/cases.md)
- [Attention/monitoring: task monitoring/vigilance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021520): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44 II, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021520/cases.md?model=7640122), [All aircraft, 330 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021520/cases.md)
- [Performance/control parameters: prop/rotor parameters](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062052): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44 II, 17 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062052/cases.md?model=7640122), [All aircraft, 182 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062052/cases.md)
- [Performance/control parameters: powerplant parameters](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062050): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44 II, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062050/cases.md?model=7640122), [All aircraft, 81 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062050/cases.md)

## 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); 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)
- [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44 II, 74 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=7640122), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md)
- [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44 II, 24 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=7640122), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md)
- [Emergency descent: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44 II, 26 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=7640122), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md)
- [Landing-flare/touchdown: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44 II, 40 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=7640122), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md)
- [Landing-flare/touchdown: Roll over](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/097); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44 II, 14 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/097/sequence.md?model=7640122), [All aircraft, 261 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/097/sequence.md)
- [Post-impact: Evacuation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/460); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44 II, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/460/sequence.md?model=7640122), [All aircraft, 103 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/460/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The purpose of the low-level flight was to perform the aerial hunting of wild pigs and coyotes in a remote area that the pilot had not flown in before. The doors were removed from the helicopter, and the two paying passengers onboard were equipped with firearms. During the flight at 75 ft agl and 50 kts, the pilot observed two coyotes and decided to maneuver the helicopter into the wind so the passengers could engage the coyotes with their firearms. The pilot turned the helicopter to the left, into the wind, and during the turn he heard the engine rpm decrease. After checking the cockpit gauges, he noticed that the engine rpm and the main rotor rpm were both decreasing. The pilot increased the throttle, lowered the collective; however, the engine rpm and the main rotor rpm were still decreasing. The pilot maneuvered the helicopter for a forced landing. The helicopter impacted terrain and came to rest on its left side in a remote canyon. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the main rotor system, the fuselage, the tail cone, and the tail rotor system. The pilot reported there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airframe or the engine that would have precluded normal operation. The calculated density altitude for the closest metrological reporting station, near the time of the accident, was about 5,145 ft. The Robinson Helicopter Company has published Safety Notice SN-34 Aerial Survey and Photo Flights which provides pilot guidance that can also be applicable to aerial hunting flights and states that to “only fly the aircraft at speeds, altitudes, and wind angles that are safe and allow good escape routes.”

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N445JS](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N445JS), registered now, S/N 13278, built 2012 (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: 13278
- Year built: 2012
- Airframe hours: 3328.1
- Engines: Lycoming Engines IO-540-AE1A5 235 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial observation, Part 91
- Operator: Concho Aviation LLC, doing business as Concho Aviation LLC
- Registered owner: Ag Ranch Services LLC
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, March 5, 2026, 66.1 hours before
- Departed: None, Crosbyton, TX
- Destination: None, Crosbyton, TX
- Equipment: ADS-B, Handheld GPS

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review May 5, 2025; seat: right; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 1,022.9 total, 414.4 in this make and model, 898.7 as pilot in command, 132 in the last 90 days, 30.5 in the last 30 days, 2.5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 14 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 61 °F
- Altimeter: 29.83 inHg
- Turbulence: Light
- Observed at: KLBB, 30 nm away
- METAR: METAR KLBB 171453Z 22014KT 10SM SCT150 BKN250 22/16 A2983 RMK AO2 SLP053 T02220156 51006

## 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 20260417003629A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20260417003629A), Apr 17, 2026: Robinson Helicopter Company R44 II, Crosbyton, TX, Substantial damage. On April 17, 2026, at approximately 1145, a Robinson R44 helicopter, impacted the ground approximately seven miles north of Crosbyton, Texas. The aircraft was…

## Docket (7 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 21, 2026, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=202839. 16.8 MB in all.

- Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 10 pages, 6.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20285764&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=CEN26LA168%20NTSB%20Form%206120_1_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Concho aviation - various records of conversation (item 2, PDF, 4 pages, 110 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20285826&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Concho%20Aviation%20-%20Various%20ROCs_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Investigation photographs (item 3, PDF, 5 pages, 1.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20284951&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Investigation%20Photographs-Rel.pdf
- Accident site wreckage video (courtesy of the federal aviation administration - .mov file) (item 4, MOV, 7.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20284995&FileExtension=MOV&FileName=Accident%20Site%20-%20Video-Rel.MOV
- Accident flight ADS-B data (google earth pro - .kmz file) (item 5, KMZ, 13 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20285666&FileExtension=kmz&FileName=20260417_A55E09_620477490-Rel.kmz
- Accident flight ADS-B data (microsoft excel - .xlsx file) (item 6, XLSX, 335 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20285413&FileExtension=xlsx&FileName=20260417_A55E09_620477490_ADSB-Rel.xlsx
- Robinson helicopter company - safety notice SN-34 aerial survey and photo flights (item 7, PDF, 1 page, 16 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20285744&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=RHC%20SN-34-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.

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