NTSB investigations: Robinson Helicopter R44, TX
23 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
| 2002 | 2 |
|---|---|
| 2005 | 1 |
| 2006 | 1 |
| 2007 | 1 |
| 2011 | 1 |
| 2012 | 2 |
| 2014 | 2 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2018 | 2 |
| 2020 | 1 |
| 2021 | 1 |
| 2022 | 2 |
| 2023 | 3 |
| 2024 | 2 |
| 2025 | 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.\"eventStateOrRegion\" = 'TX' 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.
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" = 'TX' 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" 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 CEN25LA389Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 · Decatur, TXThe pilot’s loss of control during an off-airport, pinnacle landing, and the flight instructor’s inadequate supervision of the instructional flight.NTSB CEN25LA067Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 · Galveston, TXThe pilot’s failure to maintain terrain clearance during the takeoff from the helipad in high and gusting wind conditions, that resulted in the right skid extension embedding in the artificial turf, and a subsequent dynamic rollover sequence.NTSB CEN24LA135Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 · Knox City, TXThe pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during takeoff, which resulted in a rollover and an impact with terrain.NTSB CEN24LA027Accident · Minor injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 · Rowlett, TXA malfunction of the helicopter’s Engine Monitoring Unit (EMU)/Governor Controller for undetermined reasons. Contributing to the accident was the flight instructor’s failure to turn off the EMU/Governor Controller per the emergency checklist when the…NTSB CEN23LA130Accident · Serious injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 · De Kalb, TXThe pilot’s inability to maintain control of the helicopter due to his failure to maintain rotor speed. Contributing to the accident was the failure of the helicopter’s low rotor speed warning system.NTSB CEN23LA086Accident · Minor injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 · Fowlerton, TXThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance with trees, which resulted in an uncontrollable spin due to tail rotor damage.NTSB CEN22LA234Accident · Serious injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 · Henderson, TXThe partial loss of engine power in a hover due to a stuck exhaust valve.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 CEN21LA155Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 · Dunn, TXThe loss of rotor RPM for reasons that could not be determined based on available evidence.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 GAA19CA063Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportRobinson R44 · Knox City, TXThe pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed with a tailwind, which resulted in the helicopter settling with power, and his subsequent incorrect collective application while attempting to recover, which resulted in a loss of helicopter control due to a…NTSB GAA18CA247Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 · Sonora, TXThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from trees while maneuvering at a low altitude.NTSB GAA16CA283Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 · Spring Branch, TXThe pilot's failure to maintain helicopter control while hovering in gusting tailwind conditions, resulting in the tailboom striking a light pole and impact with terrain.NTSB CEN15CA025Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 · Harper, TXThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from trees while maneuvering.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 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 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 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 DFW06LA141Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportRobinson R44 · Payne Springs, TXThe loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.NTSB DFW05CA220Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportRobinson R-44 · Odessa, TXThe pilot's failure to maintain main rotor RPM and the improper landing flare which resulted in a hard landing.NTSB FTW02LA268Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportRobinson R44 · Del Rio, TXThe pilot's failure to maintain control of the helicopter. A contributing factor was the reported gusting wind conditions.NTSB FTW02LA197Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportRobinson R44 · Houston, TXThe pilot's loss of control after encountering dynamic rollover during takeoff. A contributing factor was the pilot's inadequate preflight inspection.