Fatal NTSB investigations: Robinson Helicopter R44 II
54 cases on aircraft the registry lists as Robinson Helicopter R44 II. 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
| 2003 | 1 |
|---|---|
| 2004 | 1 |
| 2006 | 3 |
| 2007 | 3 |
| 2008 | 4 |
| 2010 | 3 |
| 2011 | 3 |
| 2012 | 4 |
| 2013 | 3 |
| 2014 | 5 |
| 2015 | 1 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2017 | 1 |
| 2018 | 1 |
| 2019 | 5 |
| 2020 | 1 |
| 2021 | 5 |
| 2022 | 2 |
| 2023 | 2 |
| 2024 | 3 |
| 2025 | 2 |
Where
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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 ('7640122', '7640123'))
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 ('7640122', '7640123'))
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 CEN25FA183Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldPreliminary reportRobinson Helicopter R44 II · Miami, TXOn May 23, 2025, about 0718 central daylight time, a Robinson Helicopter Company R44 II helicopter, N1195P, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Miami, Texas. The student pilot was fatally injured. The helicopter was operated as a Title 14…NTSB CEN25FA104Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldPreliminary reportRobinson Helicopter R44 · Uvalde, TXOn February 27, 2025, about 1319 central standard time, a Robinson Helicopter Company (RHC) R44 helicopter, N144SG, sustained substantial damage when it was involved in an accident near Uvalde, Texas. The commercial pilot and the passenger sustained fatal…NTSB CEN25FA034Accident · 3 fatalClass 3 · FieldPreliminary reportRobinson Helicopter R44 II · Iowa, LAOn November 1, 2024, about 2106 central daylight time, a Robinson R-44 II helicopter, N62CD, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Iowa, Louisiana. The pilot and two passengers were fatally injured. The helicopter was operated as a Title 14…NTSB CEN25FA019Accident · 4 fatalClass 2 · FieldFinal reportRobinson R44 · Houston, TXThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from a lighted radio tower during a visual night flight. Contributing to the accident was the air traffic controller’s failure to issue a safety alert notifying the pilot of the flight’s unsafe proximity to the tower.NTSB WPR24FA200Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 II · Bluestem, WAThe pilot’s failure to manage main rotor rpm during an autorotation, which resulted in a loss of helicopter control. Contributing to the accident was a loss of power for reasons that could not be determined.NTSB CEN23FA142Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 II · Port Allen, LAThe pilot’s decision to continue the visual flight rules flight into deteriorating weather conditions, which resulted in spatial disorientation and the loss of aircraft control.NTSB CEN23FA125Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 · Port O'Connor, TXThe pilot’s initiation of the visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in spatial disorientation and a subsequent loss of helicopter control. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s flicker vertigo during the flight.NTSB GAA22WA311Accident · 1 fatalClass 5 · ForeignRobinson Helicopter R44 II · Kildare, IrelandNTSB CEN22FA288Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 II · Blackwell, TXThe pilot’s failure to maintain proper altitude and clearance during low-level aerial application, resulting in an in-flight collision with power lines.NTSB ERA22FA098Accident · 4 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 II · Bronson, FLA loss of control due to spatial disorientation as a result of the noninstrument-rated pilot’s improper decision to attempt a visual flight rules flight at night into an area of known reduced visibility due to fog.NTSB ERA22FA096Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 II · Cosby, TNThe pilot’s intentional, continued flight into instrument meteorological conditions in a helicopter that was not certified for instrument conditions, which resulted in a loss of helicopter control and a collision with trees and terrain.NTSB ERA22FA010Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 II · Cornwall, NYThe non-instrument-rated pilot’s continued flight into deteriorating weather conditions, which resulted in a loss of control due to spatial disorientation.NTSB ERA21LA295Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 II · Point Harbor, NCThe noncertificated pilot’s decision to continue visual flight rules flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in spatial disorientation over a large body of water and a high velocity impact with the water. Contributing to the accident…NTSB CEN21FA330Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportRobinson R44 · Elgin, MNThe pilot’s decision to operate the helicopter under powerlines, which resulted in a main rotor blade striking a powerline, causing the helicopter to descend from a low altitude and impact terrain.NTSB CEN20LA136Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 II · Audubon, IAThe pilot’s failure to recognize and avoid the power line during the low-altitude flight. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s fatigue, which affected the pilot’s ability to see and avoid the power line.NTSB WPR20FA013Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportRobinson R44 · Las Vegas, NVAn undetermined inflight event that resulted in the pilot performing an autorotation to uneven terrain for reasons that could not be determined due to the extent of impact damage.NTSB WPR19FA188Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportRobinson R44 · Hayward, CAThe pilots’ loss of control during a low altitude maneuver for undetermined reasons, which resulted in impact with terrain.NTSB CEN19FA160Accident · 3 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportRobinson R44 · Cass, ARA loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information.NTSB WPR19FA148Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportRobinson R44 · Alpine, UTThe noninstrument-rated pilot’s continued visual flight rules flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in spatial disorientation and subsequent loss of control. Contributing to the accident was hypoxia due to the high altitude at which…NTSB ERA19FA142Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportRobinson R44 II · Tampa, FLContamination of and an inadequate bond between the two layers of fabric comprising the helicopter engine's air induction inlet duct, which resulted a partial collapse of the duct, obstruction of the airflow into the engine, and a total loss of engine power.NTSB ERA18FA187Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportRobinson R44 · Williamsburg, VAThe pilot's failure to safely operate the helicopter due to his impaired cognitive and physical abilities, which resulted in a loss of control.NTSB CEN17FA209Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 II · Dimmitt, TXThe pilot's incapacitation due to scarring from previous heart attacks and severe hypertrophy of the left ventricular wall which resulted in arrhythmia and a loss of control while maneuvering at low altitude.NTSB CEN16FA215Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 II · Jonesboro, ARThe pilot's failure to maintain helicopter control during takeoff. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's impairment due to his combined use of alcohol and diphenhydramine, which led to his improper decision to fly after drinking alcohol and degraded…NTSB ERA15FA164Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 II · Orlando, FLAn inflight loss of control due to the likely detachment of the forward left servo control tube upper rod end attachment bolt.NTSB WPR15FA051Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 · Bountiful, UTThe pilot/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 a subsequent loss of control.NTSB ERA15FA025Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportCirrus Design SR22 · Frederick, MDThe failure of the helicopter pilots and the airplane pilot to maintain an adequate visual lookout for known traffic in the traffic pattern, which resulted in a midair collision. Contributing to the accident were the airplane pilot's descent below the…NTSB CEN14LA487Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 II · Macedonia, IAThe pilot’s inadequate visual lookout, which resulted in a collision with a static line.NTSB ANC14FA030Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 II · Chugiak, AKThe pilot's loss of control of the helicopter due to impairment or incapacitation from a sudden, acute cardiac event.NTSB ERA14FA115Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 II · Panacea, FLThe pilot’s failure to maintain adequate clearance from trees during a takeoff at night. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s lack of recent night flight experience.NTSB CEN13FA517Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportRobinson R44 II · Caballo, NMThe pilot’s failure to see and avoid power lines while maneuvering near the ground because dust stirred up by the rotor wash obscured his visibility.NTSB WPR13FA343Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 II · Thompson Falls, MTThe pilot's failure to maintain helicopter control while operating in conditions conducive to a loss of tail rotor effectiveness.NTSB CEN13FA295Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 II · Cross Timbers, MOThe pilot's failure to see and avoid a power line during the low-altitude flight.NTSB WPR13FA054Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 II · Corona, CAThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance between the helicopter’s main rotor blades and the metal canopy of a fuel island.NTSB CEN13FA010Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 II · Blanco, TXThe pilot's loss of helicopter control as a result of spatial disorientation due to dark night conditions and marginal visual flight rules weather conditions.NTSB WPR12LA259Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 II · East Wenatchee, WAThe pilot’s failure to adequately monitor the environment and maintain clearance from the power lines while maneuvering at low altitude.NTSB CEN12FA139Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportRobinson R44 II · Centerville, LAThe pilot allowed the helicopter to settle with power while maneuvering at low altitude.NTSB CEN12FA091Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 II · Hackensack, MNThe helicopter's sudden yaw and subsequent impact with the water for reasons that could not be determined during postaccident examination of the helicopter and its systems.NTSB CEN11FA468Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 II · Rising Sun, INThe noninstrument-rated pilot's decision to continue the visual flight rules flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in his spatial disorientation and failure to maintain clearance from terrain.NTSB ERA11FA272Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 II · Indiana, PAThe pilot's operation of the helicopter at a low-forward airspeed out of ground effect, which resulted in the helicopter’s loss of translational lift and tail rotor authority and the pilot’s subsequent loss of helicopter control.NTSB ERA10FA403Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 II · Blairsville, GAThe non-instrument-rated pilot's continued visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain.NTSB WPR10LA354Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 II · Salt Lake City, UTThe pilot's loss of directional control while attempting to move the helicopter laterally without first lifting it fully off its landing platform.NTSB ERA10WA133Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationRobinson Helicopter R44 II · Restauracion, Dominican Republic, Dominican RepublicOn February 4, 2010, about 1940 Atlantic standard time, a Robinson R44II helicopter, N7535F, impacted the side of Mount Jina Mocha, in the city of Restauracion, Dominican Republic, at night, while en route from Port Au Prince, Haiti to Cibao International…NTSB CEN09WA074Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationRobinson Helicopter R44 II · Saint-Marc, HaitiNTSB CHI08FA293Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportRobinson R44 II · Kenosha, WIThe pilots failure to maintain clearance from terrain resulting in an in-flight collision with a house. Contributing to the accident was the night instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) and the pilot's lack of experience of flying in IMC.NTSB DFW08FA218Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportRobinson R44 II · Ridgedale, MOAn in-flight loss of control for undetermined reasons.NTSB DFW08LA122Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportRobinson R44 · Bartlett, TXThe pilot's failure to maintain tail rotor clearance from terrain (embankment) during takeoff.NTSB SEA07FA223Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportRobinson R44 II · Easton, WAThe pilot's improper planning/decision in attempting a downwind takeoff under high density altitude conditions that resulted in a loss of control and impact with terrain. Contributing to the accident were the helicopter's gross weight in excess of the maximum…NTSB CHI07FA114Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 II · Bass Lake, INThe pilot's failure to maintain a proper approach glidepath, which resulted in a settling-with-power flight condition. Contributing to the accident was the dark night light condition.NTSB DEN07FA079Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportRobinson R44 II · Ponte Vedra Bch, FLthe mechanic's improper installation of the attachment hardware for the servo to swashplate push-pull tube joint which resulted in a disconnection, subsequent loss of control, and impact with terrain. Contributing factors were the company management's…NTSB SEA06FA159Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportRobinson R44 II · Warrenton, ORThe pilot's intentional flight into instrument meteorological conditions while maneuvering which resulted in an in flight collision with terrain/water.