NTSB investigations: Robinson Helicopter R44
195 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.
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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.\"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."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 CEN14CA500Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 · Beaumont, TXThe pilot's loss tail rotor effectiveness while attempting a taxiway side-step during landing. Contributing to the accident was another pilot's failure to ensure the runway was clear before occupying the runway for takeoff.NTSB CEN14WA491Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationRobinson Helicopter R44 · Roeselare, BelgiumNTSB ERA14CA413Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 · Hayesville, NCThe pilot's failure to maintain control of the helicopter, and adequate clearance, which resulted in a collision with a hangar.NTSB CEN14CA426Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 · Lancaster, WIThe pilot's inadequate monitoring of the environment and failure to maintain clearance from transmission wires during an aerial application flight.NTSB CEN14CA403Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 · Allen, NEThe pilot did not ensure sufficient obstacle clearance for potential wind conditions, which resulted in his loss of control of the helicopter.NTSB CEN14CA338Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 · Olathe, KSThe pilot's failure to follow the manufacturer's engine shutdown procedure.NTSB ERA14CA143Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 · Orlando, FLThe pilot's inadequate preflight inspection in which he failed to remove the tail rotor covers, which resulted in the failure of the tail rotor drive shaft during engine start.NTSB CEN13LA448Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportRobinson R44 · Capron, ILThe pilot's failure to maintain main rotor speed while maneuvering at low altitude during an agricultural application flight, which resulted in an uncontrolled descent into terrain.NTSB WPR13LA295Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 · Fielding, UTThe pilot's failure to maintain rotor rpm while traversing a canyon in high-density altitude and gusting wind conditions.NTSB 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 CEN13CA022Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 · Loop, TXThe pilot’s inadequate performance calculations, which resulted in an overweight takeoff for the conditions and the subsequent hard impact with terrain.NTSB CEN12LA669Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 · Nocona, TXThe noncertificated pilot’s operation of the helicopter, which resulted in impact with the water.NTSB ERA12LA429Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 · Tallahassee, FLThe pilot’s failure to maintain awareness of the helicopter’s altitude while attempting to troubleshoot the clutch actuator warning light, which resulted in an inadvertent descent and impact with water. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's possible…NTSB ERA12CA179Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 · N. Charleston, SCThe flight instructor’s failure to apply power during a practice autorotation in order to arrest a high rate of descent, which resulted in an in-flight collision with terrain.NTSB ERA11CA505Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 · Clearwater, FLThe certified flight instructor's delayed remedial action, which resulted in a loss of control and subsequent rollover.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 CEN11LA648Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 · Ocate, NMThe pilot’s failure to apply carburetor heat, which resulted in the formation of carburetor ice and a partial loss of engine power.NTSB CEN11CA627Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 · Batesville, TXThe pilot’s inadequate preflight inspection that failed to ensure all tie-down clamps were removed prior to takeoff, which resulted in the helicopter’s dynamic rollover.NTSB ERA11LA380Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 · Lakewood, NJThe pilot’s inadequate yaw control of the helicopter while hovering.NTSB ERA11CA194Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportRobinson R44 · Petersburg, WVThe pilot's failure to maintain control during the takeoff.NTSB WPR11CA121Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportRobinson R44 · Ogden, UTThe certified flight instructor’s failure to maintain adequate main rotor blade rpm during a practice autorotation, resulting in a hard landing and rollover.NTSB ERA11CA080Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 · Canal Point, FLPilot fatigue due to lack of sleep resulting in incapacitation (falling asleep) and ground contact while maneuvering at a low altitude.NTSB WPR10LA420Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportRobinson R44 · San Diego, CAThe pilot's failure to utilize carburetor heat during initial climb, which resulted in a loss of engine power due to carburetor icing.NTSB ERA10CA407Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 · Aguadilla, PRThe pilot's inadequate preflight performance calculations, which resulted in the overweight helicopter's lack of hover capability out of ground effect.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 CEN10CA251Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 · Baraboo, WIThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance with crops while maneuvering during aerial application.NTSB ANC10CA040Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 · Seward, AKThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from snow-covered terrain while hovering in flat light conditions, which resulted in a dynamic rollover.NTSB WPR10CA192Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportRobinson R44 · Temecula, CAThe pilot's failure to maintain control of the helicopter during takeoff.NTSB ERA10CA051Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 · Morovis, PRThe pilot’s delayed attempt to go around.NTSB WPR10CA193Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportRobinson R44 · San Juan Batista, CAThe pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance from wires while maneuvering and his subsequent improper use of the collective control, which resulted in the main rotor contacting the tail boom.NTSB ERA10LA019Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportRobinson R44 · La Belle, FLThe loss of main rotor rpm due to the failure of one or more of the drive belts for undetermined reasons.NTSB WPR09LA436Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 · Torrance, CAA main rotor overspeed due to the pilot’s failure to maintain rotor RPM within allowable limits during a practice autorotation.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 WPR09CA339Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 · Marysville, CAThe pilot’s failure to maintain adequate clearance from the power line wires.NTSB ANC09GA040Accident · No injuriesFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 · Iliamna, AKThe main rotor transmission mount design, which resulted in an in-flight vibration/oscillation, and damage to the helicopter during an emergency descent and hard landing. Contributing to the accident was the lack of information from the manufacturer regarding…NTSB ERA09LA051Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 · San Juan, PRThe detachment of the forward left servo control tube upper rod end attachment bolt during a hover due to separation of its retaining nut for undetermined reasons.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 ANC08CA112Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportRobinson R44 · Iliamna, AKThe pilot's failure to see a wire cable prior to colliding with it. Factors contributing to the accident were the non-routine positioning of the wire cable, and the ground crew's failure to advise the pilot that the wire had been re-routed.NTSB SEA08LA104Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportRobinson R44 · Pahrump, NVThe loss of the engine to transmission drive train continuity while on approach for undetermined reasons. Contributing to the accident were lack of suitable terrain for a run-on landing, and cars on the race track.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 DFW08LA020Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportRobinson R-44 · Catarina, TXThe loss of control due to the pilot's failure to maintain clearance with trees while hovering . A contributing factor was the low altitude.NTSB CHI07LA309Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportRobinson R44 · Jackson Center, OHThe reported vibration in the helicopter during an approach for landing for undetermined reasons. Contributing to the accident was the mature cornfield.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 ATL06LA133Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportRobinson R44 · Beaufort, NCThe loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.NTSB CHI06CA214Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportRobinson R-44 · Wadsworth, ILThe pilot inadvertently pulled back on the cyclic when birds flew into the windscreen. A factor associated with the accident were the birds.NTSB CHI06CA143Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportRobinson R44 · Stapleton, NEThe pilot not maintaining clearance fron the tree during landing. A factor was the tree.NTSB LAX06CA184Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportRobinson R44 · Wailuku, HIthe pilot's inadequate compensation for the existing gusty wind conditions that resulted in his failure to maintain proper alignment with the landing area.