Robinson R22 Safety Record

Complete NTSB accident and incident history. 520 events recorded from 1982 to 2025.

520

All Events

278

Incidents

72

Minor

47

Serious

112

Fatal (157 fatalities)

Date Location Reg# Severity Damage Probable Cause
Jul 22, 1998 ENGLEWOOD, CO N8350N Minor destroyed An encounter with unanticipated windshear or a downdraft.
Jun 21, 1998 FREER, TX N982SH Incident substantial The pilot's failure to maintain tail rotor-ground clearance due to his improper flare while hovering.
May 26, 1998 REDHILL AERODRO, UK BOAM Incident Investigation pending
May 22, 1998 SAN LUIS OBISPO, CA N2312N Incident substantial The flight instructor's inadequate compensation for wind conditions, and his failure to maintain aircraft control. Contributing was wind gusts.
May 16, 1998 SAN JOSE, CA N2332G Incident substantial The student pilot's failure to maintain adequate rotor rpm, and the flight instructor's inadequate supervision of the flight.
May 01, 1998 IRWINDALE, CA N8365D Fatal (1) destroyed
The failure of the pilot to observe in a timely manner and maintain clearance from electrical power transmission wires and her improper maneuver to av…

The failure of the pilot to observe in a timely manner and maintain clearance from electrical power transmission wires and her improper maneuver to avoid the obstruction.

Apr 27, 1998 FRANKLIN, WI N8331F Incident minor The mechanic's failure to follow the manufacturer's maintenance rebuilding instructions.
Mar 31, 1998 RIVIERA, TX N2628B Incident substantial
The pilot's failure to maintain terrain clearance while performing an evasive maneuver to avoid a charging bull, resulting in a tail rotor blade strik…

The pilot's failure to maintain terrain clearance while performing an evasive maneuver to avoid a charging bull, resulting in a tail rotor blade strike and the failure of the tail rotor drive shaft. Factors were the charging bull and the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing.

Mar 15, 1998 SAN LUIS OBISPO, CA N4079M Incident substantial
The student pilot's inadvertent pulling of the mixture, instead of the carburetor heat, while preparing for the approach, and the flight instructor's …

The student pilot's inadvertent pulling of the mixture, instead of the carburetor heat, while preparing for the approach, and the flight instructor's inadequate supervision.

Mar 09, 1998 AMPORT, UK GBUTW Fatal (1) Investigation pending
Feb 26, 1998 LITTLEROCK, CA N8457J Fatal (1) destroyed
The pilot's improper use of the rotorcraft cyclic control in response to encountering terrain induced turbulence. A factor in the accident was the pi…

The pilot's improper use of the rotorcraft cyclic control in response to encountering terrain induced turbulence. A factor in the accident was the pilot's failure to obtain a preflight weather briefing which contained precautionary notices for turbulence.

Jan 31, 1998 OXNARD, CA N2308X Incident substantial The pilot's improper use of the collective during the initiation of the rollover, which prevented the recovery from the condition.
Dec 16, 1997 BELLE VERNON, PA N55TP Fatal (1) destroyed The pilot's improper out-of-ground hover procedure, which resulted in a loss of tailrotor effectiveness.
Nov 22, 1997 LONG BEACH, CA N45SG Incident substantial
the flight instructor's failure to thoroughly brief his student on the performance standards of the proposed autorotation and the method to be used fo…

the flight instructor's failure to thoroughly brief his student on the performance standards of the proposed autorotation and the method to be used for a positive transfer of controls. The student's failure to verify the performance standards of the autorotation, to recognize an excessive rate of descent, and to relinquish control of the throttle to the instructor were factors in this accident.

Nov 15, 1997 LUBBOCK, TX N26026 Incident substantial
failure of the student pilot to maintain control of the helicopter during hover out-of-ground-effect. A related factor was: the student pilot's lack …

failure of the student pilot to maintain control of the helicopter during hover out-of-ground-effect. A related factor was: the student pilot's lack of experience in flying helicopters.

Oct 17, 1997 POMPANO BEACH, FL N333PH Incident substantial The improper use of collective control by the dual student which prevented the flight instructor from stopping an uncontrolled roll to the left.
Sep 27, 1997 HUNTSVILLE, TX N8316W Minor substantial
failure of the student pilot to maintain directional control of the helicopter during a flare to landing. Factors relating to the accident were: the …

failure of the student pilot to maintain directional control of the helicopter during a flare to landing. Factors relating to the accident were: the student pilot's misinterpretation of the wind direction, his selection of the wrong runway, and the resultant tailwind during landing.

Aug 24, 1997 TERRELL, TX N8057Z Serious (1) substantial
the student pilot's premature flare for landing from an autorotation, and the ensuing loss of rotor rpm, which resulted in a hard landing. A factor r…

the student pilot's premature flare for landing from an autorotation, and the ensuing loss of rotor rpm, which resulted in a hard landing. A factor relating to the accident was: partial loss of engine power for undetermined reason(s).

Aug 06, 1997 WILLIMANTIC, CT N717GT Incident substantial
The student pilot misunderstood the flight instructor's instructions and reduced the engine power to idle, and the Certificated Flight Instructor's de…

The student pilot misunderstood the flight instructor's instructions and reduced the engine power to idle, and the Certificated Flight Instructor's delayed remedial action.

Jul 25, 1997 CHANDLER, AZ N4008D Serious (1) destroyed
The CFI's failure to recognize and correct for a vortex ring state, and his improper use of the flight controls, which resulted in the loss of control…

The CFI's failure to recognize and correct for a vortex ring state, and his improper use of the flight controls, which resulted in the loss of control and uncontrolled descent.

Jun 14, 1997 SAN ANTONIO, TX N4041W Incident substantial The flight instructor's inadequate supervision during the practice autorotation and his failure to maintain rotor RPM.
May 16, 1997 BOISE, ID N2328W Incident substantial
improper handling of the helicopter by the student pilot/applicant, during a hover autorotation, which resulted in loss of tail rotor effectiveness. …

improper handling of the helicopter by the student pilot/applicant, during a hover autorotation, which resulted in loss of tail rotor effectiveness. The check pilot's inadequate remedial action was a related factor.

Jan 31, 1997 WIGGINS, MS N8319T Incident substantial the student pilot misjudged rotor blade clearance from a utility pole, which resulted in a collision. The proximity of the pole was a related factor.
Dec 22, 1996 ISLIP, NY N8414H Incident substantial The students pilot's failure to maintain control of the helicopter and the instructor's inadequate supervision of the flight.
Dec 15, 1996 LAKEPORT, CA N8311A Minor substantial
inadequate supervision by the flight instructor (CFI), and his delayed corrective action to the student pilot's abrupt control inputs, thereby allowin…

inadequate supervision by the flight instructor (CFI), and his delayed corrective action to the student pilot's abrupt control inputs, thereby allowing the main rotor blades to strike the ground. Factors relating to the accident were: the CFI's lack of instructing experience and the presence of upsloping terrain.

Disclaimer: This data is sourced from the NTSB Aviation Accident Database. NTSB events reflect reported accidents and incidents and do not necessarily indicate a defect in the aircraft type. Many events involve pilot error, weather conditions, maintenance issues, or other factors unrelated to the aircraft design. This information is provided for research purposes only — consult official NTSB reports for complete details.
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