Fatal NTSB investigations: Robinson Helicopter R22 ALPHA

8 cases on aircraft the registry lists as Robinson Helicopter R22 ALPHA. Aircraft are matched to the registry by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model, so older matches can be wrong.

Defining event

Finding

Phase of flight

Aircraft model

Cases per year

19842026

Fatal NTSB investigations: Robinson Helicopter R22 ALPHA per year, 1984–2026: 8 cases
1984	2
1987	2
1989	1
1994	1
1998	1
2004	1

Where

Open the map

Latest cases

Query with SQL

SELECT c."ntsbNumber", c."eventDate", c."eventType", c."eventCity", c."eventStateOrRegion", a.n_number, a."aircraftMake", a."aircraftModel", c."highestInjuryLevel", c."totalFatal", c."completionStatus", c.report_url FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_case_detail.parquet' c LEFT JOIN 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_aircrafts.parquet' a ON a.case_mkey = c."mKey" AND a.position = 1 WHERE c."highestInjuryLevel" = 'Fatal' AND c."mKey" IN (SELECT x.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_aircrafts.parquet' x WHERE x.aircraft_model_code IN ('7640104')) ORDER BY c."eventDate" DESC, c."ntsbNumber" DESC

duckdb -csv -c "SELECT c.\"ntsbNumber\", c.\"eventDate\", c.\"eventType\", c.\"eventCity\", c.\"eventStateOrRegion\", a.n_number, a.\"aircraftMake\", a.\"aircraftModel\", c.\"highestInjuryLevel\", c.\"totalFatal\", c.\"completionStatus\", c.report_url
  FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_case_detail.parquet' c LEFT JOIN 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_aircrafts.parquet' a ON a.case_mkey = c.\"mKey\" AND a.position = 1
  WHERE c.\"highestInjuryLevel\" = 'Fatal'
    AND c.\"mKey\" IN (SELECT x.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_aircrafts.parquet' x WHERE x.aircraft_model_code IN ('7640104'))
  ORDER BY c.\"eventDate\" DESC, c.\"ntsbNumber\" DESC"

Prints the whole list as CSV. It reads the release’s Parquet files over HTTPS, so there’s nothing to download first. Install DuckDB to run it.

SELECT c."ntsbNumber", c."eventDate", c."eventType", c."eventCity", c."eventStateOrRegion", a.n_number, a."aircraftMake", a."aircraftModel", c."highestInjuryLevel", c."totalFatal", c."completionStatus", c.report_url
FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_case_detail.parquet' c LEFT JOIN 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_aircrafts.parquet' a ON a.case_mkey = c."mKey" AND a.position = 1
WHERE c."highestInjuryLevel" = 'Fatal'
  AND c."mKey" IN (SELECT x.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_aircrafts.parquet' x WHERE x.aircraft_model_code IN ('7640104'))
ORDER BY c."eventDate" DESC, c."ntsbNumber" DESC

Run it at the DuckDB prompt, or in any tool that reads Parquet over HTTPS. More ways to query the release are on Use the data.

NTSB CHI04FA197Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportRobinson R22 Alpha · Mount Clemens, MIA loss of control in flight for undetermined reasons.Jul 28, 2004 · N103MH · Destroyed NTSB LAX98FA098Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportRobinson R22 · Littlerock, CAThe pilot's improper use of the rotorcraft cyclic control in response to encountering terrain induced turbulence. A factor in the accident was the pilot's failure to obtain a preflight weather briefing which contained precautionary notices for turbulence.Feb 26, 1998 · N8457J · Destroyed NTSB NYC94FA078Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportRobinson R22A · North Bergen, NJThe pilot's failure to maintain adequate visual lookout and adequate obstacle clearance, which resulted in an inflight collision with a static wire.May 5, 1994 · N503TH · Destroyed NTSB LAX89FA092Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportRobinson R22A · Santa Barbara, CAFailure of the pilot to maintain adequate altitude, proper airspeed for the reduced visibility, and an adequate visual outlook to avoid a collision with power transmission cable. Contributing to the accident was reduced visibility due to fog.Jan 22, 1989 · N8529C · Destroyed NTSB LAX88FA032Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportRobinson R22A · Moraga, CAA divergence of the main rotor from its normal plane of rotation for an undetermined reason, which resulted in rotor contact with the cockpit area.Nov 3, 1987 · N8475A · Destroyed NTSB LAX87FA147Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportRobinson R-22-A · Scottsdale, AZA loss of control in flight for undetermined reasons.Mar 16, 1987 · N2256M · Destroyed NTSB ATL85FA067Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportRobinson R-22 Alpha · Huntsville, ALA popping sound then a loud noise and a puff of smoke preceded the helicopter's fall to the ground, stated a 12 year old boy who said he saw the accident. Examination of the helicopter failed to disclose any trace of fire. However one main rotor blade…Dec 25, 1984 · N8475K · Destroyed NTSB NYC85FA048Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportRobinson R-22-A · Ellington, CTThe non-inst rated plt continued flt into IMC conditions in a helicopter which was not equipped for flt on instruments. There is no record or witnesses of the plt having received a formal wx briefing but it is reported that the plt was informed of fog moving…Dec 22, 1984 · N84958 · Destroyed