# NTSB WPR26LA083: Robinson R44, N996NR, Parkman, WY, January 19, 2026 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: January 19, 2026, 09:00 local (16:00 UTC) - Place: Parkman, WY · Rural location near Parkman, WY - Coordinates: 44.935309, -107.46031 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.9353&lon=-107.4603&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining events: [Enroute-cruise: Midair collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/250); [Enroute-cruise: Midair collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/250) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 7, 2026 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: FAA Casper FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 202315 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR26LA083 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/202315/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR26LA083 ## Probable cause (aircraft 1) The pilots’ failure to maintain separation while conducting air work in a common operational area. Contributing to the accident was the pilots’ divided attention associated with the mission activity and unreliable radio communications. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Workload management: task allocation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02064020): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause), aircraft 1; cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44 II, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02064020/cases.md?model=7640122), [All aircraft, 12 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02064020/cases.md) - [Pressures/demands: equipment/operational](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03042030): Environmental issues › Task environment · Awareness of condition (probable cause), aircraft 1; cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44 II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03042030/cases.md?model=7640122), [All aircraft, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03042030/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: aircraft](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022040): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on equipment (probable cause), aircraft 1; cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44 II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022040/cases.md?model=7640122), [All aircraft, 116 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022040/cases.md) - [Attention/monitoring: monitoring other aircraft](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021540): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause), aircraft 1; cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44 II, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021540/cases.md?model=7640122), [All aircraft, 231 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021540/cases.md) - [Communications system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022300): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Not specified (probable cause), aircraft 1; cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44 II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022300/cases.md?model=7640122), [All aircraft, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022300/cases.md) - [Workload management: task allocation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02064020): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause), aircraft 2; cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44 II, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02064020/cases.md?model=7640122), [All aircraft, 12 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02064020/cases.md) - [Pressures/demands: equipment/operational](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03042030): Environmental issues › Task environment · Awareness of condition (probable cause), aircraft 2; cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44 II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03042030/cases.md?model=7640122), [All aircraft, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03042030/cases.md) - [Communications system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022300): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Not specified (probable cause), aircraft 2; cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44 II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022300/cases.md?model=7640122), [All aircraft, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022300/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: aircraft](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022040): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on equipment (probable cause), aircraft 2; cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44 II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022040/cases.md?model=7640122), [All aircraft, 116 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022040/cases.md) - [Attention/monitoring: monitoring other aircraft](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021540): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause), aircraft 2; cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44 II, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021540/cases.md?model=7640122), [All aircraft, 231 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021540/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute-cruise: Midair collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/250) (defining event), aircraft 1; cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44 II, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/250/sequence.md?model=7640122), [All aircraft, 196 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/250/sequence.md) - [Enroute-cruise: Midair collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/250) (defining event), aircraft 2; cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44 II, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/250/sequence.md?model=7640122), [All aircraft, 196 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/250/sequence.md) ## Analysis (aircraft 1) Two helicopters were conducting low-altitude wildlife capture operations in mountainous terrain when they collided mid-air. Both helicopters were substantially damaged; the pilots and passenger were uninjured. The pilots and passengers briefed their operational plan prior to departing. The first helicopter (N74730) was assigned to a northern sector and would perform operations starting on the north edge of that sector, working south. The second helicopter (N996NR) was assigned a sector bordering the southern boundary of the north sector and would begin its operations at the southernmost portion of its assigned sector, working north. The pilots each planned to meet at a fuel truck located near the common border of the two sectors. The operational area was in remote terrain that included hills, canyons, and ridges. The mission required the helicopters to operate close to/at ground level and included periodic landings. Approximately one hour after operations began, both helicopters arrived in the same area near the sector boundary, where they continued to independently conduct the low-altitude operations. The pilot of the second helicopter had just dropped off his passenger to complete a wildlife capture and had become airborne again. Both pilots reported they were airborne and descending slightly, when the pilot of the first helicopter saw the other helicopter converging head-on. The pilot of the first helicopter quickly applied full up collective control to attempt to climb above the flight path of the converging helicopter, and as they passed the helicopters collided. The collision resulted in substantial damage to the tail section of the first helicopter. The pilots stated they believed the accident could have been avoided with better radio communication. Additionally, the pilots reported that the terrain’s effect on radio transmissions and the operational workload prevented continuous and unreliable communication between the helicopters; therefore, they relied on see-and-avoid techniques to ensure safe separation. The pilots of both helicopters reported no mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that would have precluded normal operations. ## Aircraft 1 - Registration: [N996NR](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N996NR), registered now, S/N 11111, built 2006 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: ROBINSON 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: 11111 - Year built: 2006 - Airframe hours: 4692.6 - Engines: Lycoming IO-540-AE1A5 245 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Other work use, Part 91 - Operator: Native Range Capture Services Inc - Registered owner: Native Range Capture Services Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, January 2, 2026, 20 hours before - Departed: SHR, Sheridan, WY - Destination: N/A, Parkman, WY - Equipment: Satellite tracking device, ADS-B, Handheld GPS ## Aircraft 2 - Registration: [N74730](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N74730), registered now, S/N 10888, built 2005 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: ROBINSON 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: 10888 - Year built: 2005 - Airframe hours: 3866.4 - Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-AE1A5 245 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Other work use, Part 91 - Operator: Native Range Capture Services Inc - Registered owner: Native Range Capture Services Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, January 16, 2026, 9 hours before - Departed: SHR, Sheridan, WY - Destination: Same as departure - Equipment: ADS-B, Satellite tracking device, Handheld GPS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot, aircraft N996NR; age 46; injuries: none; commercial; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review November 30, 2024; seat: rear; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 9,169 total, 3,500 in this make and model, 9,000 as pilot in command, 79.5 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours - Pilot, aircraft N74730; age 44; injuries: none; commercial; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review November 29, 2024; seat: right; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 7,443.7 total, 6,500 in this make and model, 7,300 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 25 °F, dew point 16 °F - Altimeter: 30.22 inHg - Observed at: KSHR, 23 nm away - METAR: METAR KSHR 191553Z AUTO 26003KT 10SM CLR M04/M09 A3022 RMK AO2 SLP281 T10391089 ## FAA reports on this event (2) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20260119000302A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20260119000302A), Jan 19, 2026: Robinson Helicopter Company R44 II, Sheridan, WY, Minor damage. Robinson R-44 aircraft #2 was struck in the tail rotor by R-44 #1 both aircraft initiated an emergency landing. No injuries and minor damage to R-44 #2 and… - [Accident 20260119000311A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20260119000311A), Jan 19, 2026: Robinson Helicopter Company R44 II, Sheridan, WY, Substantial damage. R-44 #1 rotor struck R-44 #2 tail rotor mid air. Both aircraft made an emergency landing. Minor damage to R-44 #1 substantial damage to R-44 #2 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.