NTSB investigations: Robinson Helicopter R44 II
291 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, newest first
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.\"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."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 ERA20LA054Accident · Minor injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportRobinson R44 · San Antonio, TXMaintenance personnel’s failure to complete all necessary steps of a service bulletin and subsequent failure to identify the loose lower actuator bearing support bracket during inspections, which resulted in the misalignment of the clutch actuator, resulted…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 GAA19CA531Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportRobinson R44 · Nuiqsut, AKThe pilot's improper decision to land downwind from unsecured debris, which resulted in the helicopter’s main rotor disk ingesting foreign objects.NTSB CEN19LA250Accident · Minor injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 II · Lyons, NEThe engine's low cylinder compression, which resulted in low rotor rpm and a subsequent dynamic rollover following landing on soft terrain.NTSB GAA19CA473Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportRobinson R44 · Fessenden, NDThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from wires during an agricultural application flight.NTSB CEN19LA240Accident · Minor injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportRobinson R44 · Blair, NEThe failure of the lower actuator bearing support bracket, which resulted in the misalignment of the clutch actuator, the loss of belt tension on the main rotor drive system, and the subsequent forced landing on sloped terrain.NTSB GAA19CA428Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportRobinson R44 · Council Bluff, IAThe pilot's improper cyclic input during liftoff from a landing deck, which resulted in the right skid hooking onto an opening on the landing deck and a subsequent dynamic rollover.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 ERA19TA204Accident · Serious injuriesClass 3Final reportRobinson R44 · Parsons, WVThe pilot's decision to maneuver the helicopter at low altitude over a river, which resulted in a wire strike and subsequent collision with terrain.NTSB CEN19TA178Accident · No injuriesClass 3Final reportRobinson R44 · La Ward, TXThe pilot’s failure to maintain helicopter control during a course reversal, which resulted in impact with terrain.NTSB GAA19CA476Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportRobinson R44 · Lebanon, MOThe pilot's loss of yaw control and failure to maintain a proper descent rate and his subsequent improper use of the collective instead of the antitorque pedals to correct the yaw, which resulted in a hard landing.NTSB CEN19LA162Accident · Minor injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportRobinson R44 · Last Chance, COThe pilot's failure to maintain adequate main rotor rpm while descending with a tailwind during an aerial application maneuver, which resulted in an uncontrolled descent into 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 GAA19CA195Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportRobinson R44 · Taunton, MAThe pilot's improper decision to land with a gusting left quartering tailwind and his subsequent attempt to reposition the helicopter and take off, which resulted in a dynamic rollover.NTSB CEN19LA065Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportRobinson R44 · Uvalde, TXThe slipping of the sprag clutch due to galling of the sprags and corresponding sprag contact surfaces within the clutch assembly, which rendered the helicopter uncontrollable.NTSB GAA19CA110Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportRobinson R44 · Grace, IDThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the power lines.NTSB GAA19CA103Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportRobinson R44 · Strykersville, NYThe structural failure of the home-built landing platform during landing, which resulted in the helicopter rolling over.NTSB GAA19CA066Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportRobinson R44 · Lihue, HIThe passenger’s improper decision to hold her cell phone outside the helicopter, which resulted in it departing the helicopter and striking the tail rotor.NTSB WPR19LA002Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportRobinson R44 · Salinas, CAThe partial loss of engine power after takeoff due to faulty wiring to the engine governor.NTSB ERA18LA269Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportRobinson R44 · Westminster, MDThe pilot's attempt to move the helicopter from a sloped surface after an overspeed event, which resulted in a loss of helicopter control and impact with a car. The overspeed event resulted from misrouted and damaged wiring in the magneto, which subsequently…NTSB GAA18CA534Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportRobinson R44 · Girdwood, AKThe fisherman's fishing rod striking the helicopter’s rotating main rotor disk during loading.NTSB ANC18LA058Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportRobinson R44 · Bettles, AKMaintenance personnel's application of insufficient preload on the attachment hardware for the idler gear shaft during engine overhaul, which resulted in the dismounting of the idler gear shaft assembly due to wear and deformation and the subsequent total…NTSB GAA18CA453Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportRobinson R44 · Elma, IAThe pilot's failure maintain clearance from power lines during an agricultural application flight.NTSB GAA18CA430Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportRobinson R44 · Okawville, ILThe pilot's improper preflight weight and balance calculation, which resulted in his operating the helicopter over its maximum gross takeoff weight and in its subsequent failure to climb.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 ERA18LA161Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 II · Fort Morgan, ALA partial loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident engine examinations did not reveal any evidence of preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.NTSB WPR18LA133Accident · Minor injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 II · Borrego Springs, CAThe loss of the helicopter’s drive system for reasons that could not be determined from the available evidence, which led to an autorotation that resulted in a hard landing and rollover on uneven sandy terrain.NTSB ANC18LA032Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 · Fairbanks, AKThe pilot's failure to maintain helicopter control while in a hovering turn, which resulted in a collision with obstacles.NTSB GAA18CA140Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 · Woodland, CAThe pilot’s distraction due to her malfunctioning iPad, which led to her inadvertent forward cyclic application.NTSB CEN18LA087Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 II · Loveland, COThe airplane pilot’s failure to see and avoid the helicopter while in the traffic pattern, which resulted in a midair collision between the two aircraft. Contributing to the accident was the airplane pilot’s misunderstanding of the helicopter pilot’s…NTSB CEN18LA069Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 II · Albany, TXA loss of helicopter control for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination did not reveal any evidence of mechanical malfunctions or failures of the main rotor and tail rotor systems that would have precluded normal operation.NTSB GAA18CA089Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 · Newark, OHThe pilot’s failure to maintain lateral control of the helicopter during takeoff, which resulted in dynamic rollover.NTSB GAA18CA066Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 · New Orleans, LAThe pilot’s failure to land the helicopter with both skids on the trailer platform, which resulted in a loss of control.NTSB WPR17LA188Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 II · El Dorado Hills, CAMaintenance personnel's inadequate routine maintenance on the helicopter engine, which led to low cylinder compression, improper magneto timing, and camshaft lobe wear, which subsequently resulted in degraded engine performance.NTSB ANC17LA040Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 · Solomon, AKThe pilot's failure to maintain adequate altitude above water, and his loss of situational awareness, which resulted in an inadvertent descent and collision with water.NTSB GAA17CA450Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 · Dunlap, ILThe pilot’s failure to visually confirm that the helicopter was disconnected from hoses during refueling operations. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s and ground crew’s misunderstanding of the hand signals.NTSB WPR17LA168Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 II · Lake Sutherlin, MTThe pilot’s transition into an out-of-ground-effect hover in high-density altitude conditions that exceeded the helicopter’s performance capabilities, which resulted in loss of rotor rpm.NTSB WPR17LA159Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 II · Van Nuys, CAAn improper repair of the right magneto's tachometer and governor signal wire, which failed during cruise flight and initiated a simultaneous malfunction of both the engine tachometer and governor control system, which resulted in erroneous and contradictory…NTSB CEN17CA346Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 II · Logan, IAThe pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from a wire during an agricultural application flight.NTSB GAA17CA401Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 · Paoli, INThe pilot's decision to maneuver an overgross weight helicopter at a low altitude and airspeed with a gusting tailwind, which resulted in a high descent rate and collision with terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's self-induced pressure to…NTSB GAA17CA398Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 II · Pocahontas, ILThe helicopter pilot’s miscommunication with the ground crewmember during reloading operations, which resulted in a takeoff with the filler hose attached to the helicopter and subsequent impact with a truck.NTSB WPR17LA143Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 II · Ronan, MTThe pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed, which resulted in a loss of tail rotor effectiveness during a low-altitude orbiting maneuver and a subsequent hard landing.NTSB GAA17CA383Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 · Easton, PAThe pilot’s distraction during liftoff due to the tail rotor chip warning light illuminating, which resulted in the helicopter drifting right, the skid touching down, and a dynamic roll-over.NTSB WPR17LA140Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportRobinson R44 · Bella Vista, CAA partial loss of engine power during low-altitude maneuvering for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examinations of the engine and airframe revealed no evidence of any preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have…NTSB CEN17LA219Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 II · Douglas, WYThe pilot's inability to control the helicopter's descent after encountering a sudden wind shift to a tailwind while performing a near maximum gross weight landing at a high density altitude.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 GAA17CA279Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 · Vevay, INThe pilot’s failure to see and avoid power lines during an agricultural application flight due to distraction when reading a map.NTSB ERA17LA168Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportRobinson R44 · Newton, NCThe pilot's failure to maintain an adequate airspeed during out-of-ground-effect maneuvering at a low airspeed with a tailwind, which resulted in a loss of helicopter control due to a loss of tail rotor effectiveness.