NTSB investigations: Robinson Helicopter R44, CA

17 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

19932026
NTSB investigations: Robinson Helicopter R44, CA per year, 1993–2026: 17 cases
19931
20001
20031
20053
20093
20102
20161
20172
20181
20191
20241

Latest 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.\"eventStateOrRegion\" = 'CA' AND c.\"eventCountry\" = 'USA'
    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.

NTSB WPR24LA251Accident · Minor injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 · Carlsbad, CAThe pilot’s failure to maintain lateral control of the helicopter while departing with a crosswind, which resulted in a dynamic rollover.Jul 18, 2024 · N886JB · Substantial damageNTSB 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.Jun 18, 2019 · N7187D · DestroyedNTSB 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.Jan 30, 2018 · N7530R · DestroyedNTSB WPR17LA097Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 · Santa Barbara, CAA total loss of engine power during cruise flight due to the failure of an engine piston rod for reasons that could not be determined due to extensive damage.May 5, 2017 · N981RR · DestroyedNTSB GAA17CA151Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 · Holtville, CAThe pilot’s initiation of a left turn at a low altitude with low airspeed and a tailwind while operating near maximum gross weight, which resulted in the helicopter losing altitude, touching down on a dirt surface, and a subsequent dynamic rollover.Feb 14, 2017 · N4534G · Substantial damageNTSB WPR16LA132Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 · El Centro, CAA loss of main rotor rpm and airframe vibration for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information, which resulted in a forced landing to sloping terrain and the helicopter rolling over.Jun 28, 2016 · N8325X · Substantial damageNTSB 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.Aug 23, 2010 · N7186Z · Substantial damageNTSB WPR10CA192Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportRobinson R44 · Temecula, CAThe pilot's failure to maintain control of the helicopter during takeoff.Apr 6, 2010 · N688SS · Substantial damageNTSB 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.Oct 29, 2009 · N144RF · Substantial damageNTSB 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.Sep 3, 2009 · N8361X · Substantial damageNTSB WPR09CA339Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 · Marysville, CAThe pilot’s failure to maintain adequate clearance from the power line wires.Jul 13, 2009 · N244HP · Substantial damageNTSB LAX05FA189Accident · Serious injuriesField investigationFinal reportRobinson R44 · Lucerne Valley, CAthe pilot's failure to maintain adequate main rotor rpm and directional control while maneuvering at low altitude. Contributing factors in the accident were the helicopter's gross weight in excess of the maximum hover out of ground effect limit, a high…May 28, 2005 · N7015Q · DestroyedNTSB LAX05LA164Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportRobinson R44 · Gustine, CAthe improper installation of the nut/bolt assembly connecting the left cyclic push-pull tube to the non-rotating swashplate by maintenance personnel, which led to a loss of roll control during takeoff.May 11, 2005 · N144SM · Substantial damageNTSB LAX05CA095Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportRobinson R44 · Lake Arrowhead, CAthe certified flight instructor's failure to adequately compensate for wind conditions and his selection of terrain unsuitable for a safe takeoff which resulted in a dynamic rollover.Feb 14, 2005 · N44NG · Substantial damageNTSB LAX04FA037Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportRobinson R22 Beta II · Torrance, CAthe failure of the pilot of the R22 to comply with an ATC clearance.Nov 6, 2003 · N206TV · 2 aircraft · DestroyedNTSB LAX00LA086Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportRobinson R44 · Palo Alto, CAThe pilot's failure to use carburetor heat, resulting in a loss of engine power, and, his misjudged autorotation approach that resulted in a collision with the ground during the landing flare. Contributing to the accident was the conditions conducive to…Feb 2, 2000 · N999EV · Substantial damageNTSB 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.Jul 31, 1993 · N445RH · Destroyed