# NTSB WPR25LA239: Robinson Helicopter R44 II, N750GT, Ponderosa Pines, MT, August 3, 2025 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: August 3, 2025, 17:29 local (23:29 UTC) - Place: Ponderosa Pines, MT - Coordinates: 46.057328, -111.26057 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.0573&lon=-111.2606&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 - Status: Completed, report November 6, 2025 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: FAA-FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 200712 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR25LA239 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/200712/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=200712 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR25LA239 ## Probable cause The pilot’s improper pedal application during an approach to a hover. ## 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) - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained; cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44 II, 17 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=7640122), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: yaw control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062024): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44 II, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062024/cases.md?model=7640122), [All aircraft, 149 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062024/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: 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) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he was transitioning the helicopter into a 4 ft hover when he encountered a wind gust. The pilot stated that he overreacted with too much right pedal and the helicopter rotated right, the left skid impacted the ground, which resulted in a dynamic rollover and impact with terrain. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and tailboom. The pilot reported there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N750GT](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N750GT), registered now, S/N 11783, built 2007 (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: 11783 - Year built: 2007 - Engines: Lycoming IO-540 245 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Anna Kopp - Registered owner: Dragonfly Flight Adventures LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: BZN, Bozeman, MT ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 42; injuries: minor; private; medical: class 1, unknown; seat: right; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 230 total - Pilot-rated passenger; injuries: minor; seat: left; restraint: 3-point ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 10° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 30 °F - Altimeter: 30.05 inHg - Icing: Unknown - Turbulence: Unknown - Observed at: KBZN, 17 nm away - METAR: KBZN 040056Z 01005KT 10SM CLR 28/M01 A3005 RMK AO2 SLP133 T02831011= ## 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 20250803011099A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20250803011099A), Aug 3, 2025: Robinson Helicopter Company R44 II, Clarkston, MT, Substantial damage. On August 03, 2025 a Robinson helicopter, model R44, crashed in a remote location se of helena Montana. The pilot was practicing a hover at the time of the… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 6, 2025, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=200712. 6.6 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 10 pages, 5.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=19202467&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Photo array (courtesy of the gallatin county sheriff's office) (item 2, PDF, 8 pages, 7 photos, 1.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=19430793&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%20Array-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.