Fatal NTSB investigations: Robinson Helicopter R44
37 cases on aircraft the registry lists as Robinson Helicopter R44. 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.
Cases per year
| 1993 | 1 |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 1 |
| 2001 | 2 |
| 2002 | 1 |
| 2003 | 2 |
| 2004 | 2 |
| 2005 | 1 |
| 2006 | 3 |
| 2007 | 1 |
| 2008 | 2 |
| 2009 | 2 |
| 2010 | 2 |
| 2011 | 1 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2017 | 1 |
| 2018 | 2 |
| 2019 | 2 |
| 2020 | 1 |
| 2021 | 2 |
| 2022 | 2 |
| 2024 | 1 |
| 2025 | 1 |
| 2026 | 1 |
Where
Open the mapLatest cases
Query with SQL
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 ('7640120'))
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 ('7640120'))
ORDER BY c."eventDate" DESC, c."ntsbNumber" DESCRun 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 ANC26FA021Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldPreliminary reportRobinson Helicopter R44 · Boynton Beach, FLOn March 23, 2026, about 1221 eastern daylight time, a Robinson R44 Raven I helicopter, N478AT, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Boynton Beach, Florida. The flight instructor and the pilot receiving instruction were fatally injured. The…NTSB CEN25FA124Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldPreliminary reportRobinson Helicopter R44 · Danville, VAOn March 15, 2025, about 1500 eastern daylight time, a Robinson R44 helicopter, N331ES, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Danville, Virginia. The pilot was fatally injured. The helicopter was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal…NTSB ANC24FA063Accident · 3 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 · Kekaha, HIAn encounter with turbulence due to downdraft winds that resulted in mast bumping and an in-flight breakup.NTSB ERA23FA070Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 · Charlotte, NCThe inadequate inspections of the forward left control rod end attachment hardware to the stationary swashplate by the pilot and by maintenance personnel, resulting in an eventual loosening and backing out of the hardware and subsequent loss of helicopter…NTSB CEN22FA151Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 · Rowlett, TXA loss of helicopter control while maneuvering, which resulted in main rotor blade contact with the tailboom in flight, tail boom separation, and an uncontrolled descent.NTSB ERA21FA200Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 · Wingate, NCThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from a power line during a low-level aerial application flight, resulting in tail rotor impact with the power line, a loss of control, and subsequent impact with the ground.NTSB ERA21LA191Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 · Forkston, PAThe pilot’s inadequate preflight weather planning, which resulted in an inadvertent encounter with instrument meteorological conditions at night, spatial disorientation, and collision with terrain.NTSB CEN21LA084Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportRobinson R44 · Colorado City, TXThe pilot’s loss of control and exceedance of performance and/or structural limitations during low-altitude operations, which resulted in an inflight breakup.. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s impairment from the effects of tetrahydrocannabinol.NTSB WPR19FA175Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportRobinson R44 · Two Harbors, CAThe pilot's continued visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain.NTSB WPR19FA123Accident · 3 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportRobinson R44 · Kailua, HIThe helicopter’s encounter with a strong downdraft or outflow boundary while operating at a higher than recommended airspeed in turbulence which resulted in a low-G condition, excessive main rotor flapping, and an in-flight breakup when the main rotor…NTSB CEN18FA215Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 · Oshkosh, WIThe pilot's decision to fly over the river at a low altitude and his failure to maintain clearance with wires during low-level flight.NTSB WPR18FA077Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 · Newport Beach, CAThe pilot's failure to perform weight and balance calculations before departing on the flight, which resulted in his operation of the helicopter outside of its published weight and balance limitations and a subsequent loss of control shortly after takeoff.NTSB WPR18LA010Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 · Molokai, HIA descent and subsequent impact with open ocean waters for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information.NTSB ERA16FA143Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportRobinson R44 · Canadensis, PAThe pilot's loss of control due to spatial disorientation, which occurred after ascending in order to clear rising terrain and inadvertently entering the clouds.NTSB CEN14WA491Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationRobinson Helicopter R44 · Roeselare, BelgiumNTSB ERA13FA186Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportRobinson R44 · Miami, FLThe mechanic's failure to properly secure the pitch link hardware of one main rotor blade to the rotating swash plate, which resulted in the pitch link separating in flight and the pilot's subsequent loss of control. Contributing to the accident was the…NTSB CEN11FA666Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 · Curren, MIThe non-instrument-rated pilot's decision to continue visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in controlled flight into trees and the ground. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's impairment from multiple drugs.NTSB ERA10LA348Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 · Marion, KYThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from power lines during an aerial application flight.NTSB ANC10LA053Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 · Unalaska, AKThe pilot's inappropriate low altitude maneuvering, which resulted in a collision with terrain.NTSB ERA09FA497Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportRobinson R44 · Jackson, MSThe pilot's failure to maintain adequate main rotor rpm, for undetermined reasons.NTSB ERA09FA417Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 · Boonsboro, MDThe pilot’s improper decision to depart on a visual flight rules (VFR) flight at night in adverse weather conditions in close proximity to rising mountainous terrain in a helicopter that was only certified to be operated under VFR and his subsequent failure…NTSB ERA09FA036Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportRobinson R-44 · Gallatin, TNThe pilot's inadvertent descent into water as a result of the dark night and limited outside visual references.NTSB MIA08FA044Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportRobinson R44 · Ochopee, FLThe pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control while maneuvering. Contributing to the accident were a tailwind condition and the pilot's inadequate in-flight planning/decision.NTSB NYC08FA026Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 · Jamestown, TNThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from a known wire hazard during takeoff.NTSB SEA07FA006Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportRobinson R44 · Sumner, WAThe complete loss of engine power, for undetermined reasons, while on final approach, and the pilot's loss of control of the helicopter after the power loss. Factors include a lake below the final approach to the private landing pad.NTSB SEA06LA052Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportRobinson R44 · Helena, MTThe pilot's intentional suicide. The unauthorized use of a helicopter and impairment by alcohol were factors.NTSB MIA06FA039Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportRobinson R44 · Grand Ridge, FLThe pilot's continued flight into known adverse weather, and his impairment, which resulted in an in-flight collision with trees and terrain during cruise flight.NTSB CHI05FA274Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportRobinson R44 · Drummond, WIClearance not obtained/maintained by the pilot during an unknown phase of flight. Contributing factors were the improper use of procedures by the pilot, the inadequate surveillance of the operation by company/management, and the wire.NTSB ATL04FA141Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportRobinson R44 · Barnesville, GAThe certified flight instructor's in-flight decision to continue VFR flight into IMC, which resulted in spatial disorientation, and the subsequent in a loss of control. A factor was fog.NTSB IAD04FA025Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportRobinson R-44 · Killingly, CTThe pilot in command's intentional flight into instrument meteorological flight conditions, and his failure to maintain obstacle clearance which resulted in a controlled descent into trees. Factors included the pilot's inadequate weather evaluation, low cloud…NTSB LAX04FA037Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportRobinson R22 Beta II · Torrance, CAthe failure of the pilot of the R22 to comply with an ATC clearance.NTSB FTW03LA163Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportRobinson R44 · Brazos Blk 532undetermined, aircraft not recovered.NTSB ANC02FA108Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportRobinson R-44 · Ketchikan, AKThe pilot's failure to maintain control of the helicopter in-flight due to spatial disorientation, which resulted in an uncontrolled descent and impact with the surface of a lake. Factors contributing to the accident were the high terrain surrounding the…NTSB CHI02FA049Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportRobinson R44 · Waukesha, WIThe pilot's continued flight into adverse weather and not maintaining altitude/clearance from the static line during cruise flight. Factors were the static wire, the darkness of night, the low ceiling, and the vehicle.NTSB SEA01FA089Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportRobinson R44 · Gorst, WAAn abrupt application of the tail rotor/anti-torque pedal by an unknown pilot resulting in tail rotor contact with the tail boom. Tail rotor blades and empennage assembly separation, and trees were factors.NTSB NYC01FA053Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportRobinson R-44A · Sandgap, KYthe pilot's improper weather evaluation, and his failure to maintain terrain clearance while operating over unlighted terrain at night. Factors were the isolated areas of fog, and night conditions.NTSB LAX93FA311Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportRobinson R44 · El Monte, CAFatigue failure of the cyclic control (stick) assembly, which resulted in loss of cyclic (pitch & roll) control.