Robinson R22 Safety Record
Complete NTSB accident and incident history. 520 events recorded from 1982 to 2025.
| Date | Location | Reg# | Severity | Damage | Probable Cause |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 11, 2023 | Boa Vista, OF | PR-LGT | Serious (1) | substantial | Investigation pending |
| Oct 18, 2020 | Winder, GA | N566BC | Serious (1) | substantial |
Maintenance personnel’s failure to properly secure the engine cooling fan attachment bolts, leading to vibration of the cooling fan, the overextension…Maintenance personnel’s failure to properly secure the engine cooling fan attachment bolts, leading to vibration of the cooling fan, the overextension of the tension belt actuator, the failure of the drive system vee-belts, and the loss of power to the rotor system. Contributing to the accident was the failure of the operator to incorporate the manufacturer’s service bulletin addressing the prevention of belt tension actuator overextension, and the failure of maintenance personnel and the pilot to observe the loose fanwheel bolts during the most recent 100-hour inspection and during the preflight inspection of the helicopter (respectively). |
| Jan 24, 2020 | Charlotte, TX | N8364Y | Serious (1) | substantial | The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a powerline during landing. |
| Jun 29, 2019 | Garwood, TX | N7143Y | Serious (1) | substantial | The pilots' failure to maintain clearance from a power line during low level operations. |
| Apr 07, 2019 | Clover, VA | N4047H | Serious (1) | destroyed |
The pilot's inadequate visual lookout, which resulted in a collision with trees. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s decision to takeoff at n…The pilot's inadequate visual lookout, which resulted in a collision with trees. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s decision to takeoff at night without adequate runway lighting. |
| Dec 01, 2015 | Venice, FL | N8560M | Serious (1) | substantial | The flight instructor's failure to maintain control of the helicopter during an autorotation, which resulted in a hard landing. |
| Feb 01, 2013 | Gillett, TX | N3059Q | Serious (2) | substantial | A loss of tail rotor effectiveness while manuevering at low altitude. |
| May 03, 2012 | Kailua-Kona, HI | N209KR | Serious (1) | substantial |
A loss of engine power while maneuvering for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination of the engine did not reveal any an…A loss of engine power while maneuvering for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination of the engine did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. |
| Jul 21, 2009 | Jerome, AZ | N747ER | Serious (1) | substantial | The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate main rotor rpm's, and the certified flight instructor’s inadequate supervision of the flight. |
| May 02, 2008 | Prescott, AZ | N331MD | Serious (1) | substantial | The instructor's inadequate supervision and delayed remedial action that resulted in ground contact and a rollover. |
| Jan 08, 2008 | North Palm Bch, FL | N179SH | Serious (1) | substantial | A loss of engine power due to carburetor icing. Contributing to the accident was unsuitable terrain for a forced landing. |
| Nov 20, 2007 | Ramona, CA | N463SH | Serious (1) | substantial |
An excessive descent rate during a simulated 180-degree power-off autorotation, and the flight instructor's failure to initiate corrective action in t…An excessive descent rate during a simulated 180-degree power-off autorotation, and the flight instructor's failure to initiate corrective action in time to keep the helicopter from impacting the terrain. |
| May 18, 2005 | Rock Springs, TX | N995JW | Serious (1) | substantial | The pilot's failure to maintain clearance with a static line. A contributing factor was the low altitude. |
| Nov 27, 2004 | Taumaranui, NZ | ZK-HWP | Serious (1) | destroyed | Investigation pending |
| Sep 05, 2004 | North Las Vegas, NV | N994RW | Serious (1) | substantial | The certified flight instructor's misjudged flare and delayed recovery from the practice autorotation. |
| Feb 09, 2004 | Bribie Island, AS | VH-HBI | Serious (2) | substantial | Investigation pending |
| Dec 20, 2003 | Temecula, CA | N7189U | Serious (1) | substantial | a loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. |
| Aug 25, 2003 | Ozona, TX | N731BA | Serious (1) | substantial |
The pilot's decision to hover out of ground effect, which resulted in a loss of tail rotor effectiveness. A contributing factor was the lack of suita…The pilot's decision to hover out of ground effect, which resulted in a loss of tail rotor effectiveness. A contributing factor was the lack of suitable terrain. |
| Aug 16, 2003 | West Palm Beach, FL | N341ZG | Serious (1) | substantial |
The poor judgment by the pilot-in-command of the airplane for his initiation of takeoff after the helicopter pilot had announced intention to perform …The poor judgment by the pilot-in-command of the airplane for his initiation of takeoff after the helicopter pilot had announced intention to perform a 180-degree autorotation to the runway, and the failure of both pilots to maintain visual lookout resulting in the in-flight collision. |
| Jul 20, 2003 | Flint, MI | N131MH | Serious (1) | substantial | The loss of engine power for undetermined reasons, and the pilot's inadequate decision to land on an unsuitable area. |
| Jul 02, 2002 | Chatsworth, CA | N4072T | Serious (1) | substantial |
The pilot's inadequate flare resulting in rotor blade contact with the ground. Contributing factors were the high altitude and the airframe vibration…The pilot's inadequate flare resulting in rotor blade contact with the ground. Contributing factors were the high altitude and the airframe vibration for an undetermined reason. |
| Mar 29, 2002 | North Las Vegas, NV | N7040C | Serious (1) | substantial |
The failure of the flight instructor to properly judge the landing flare and add adequate cyclic, resulting in a hard landing which collapsed the left…The failure of the flight instructor to properly judge the landing flare and add adequate cyclic, resulting in a hard landing which collapsed the left skid. The wind gusts were a factor. |
| Oct 30, 2001 | Redrock, NM | N8373T | Serious (1) | substantial | The pilot's failure to maintain clearance with terrain. Contributing factors were the mountainous terrain and high density altitude. |
| Jan 30, 2000 | HANA, MAUI, HI | N62DF | Serious (1) | substantial | The student's failure to maintain directional control after encountering a tail rotor vortex ring state induced right yaw. |
| Jan 30, 1999 | POMPANO BEACH, FL | N4046H | Serious (2) | destroyed |
The CFI's decision not to follow procedures and directives (initiate a go-around/power recovery) during a simulated 180 autorotation resulting in a ha…The CFI's decision not to follow procedures and directives (initiate a go-around/power recovery) during a simulated 180 autorotation resulting in a hard landing and in flight collision with terrain. |