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
Oct 19, 1996 HALSEY, OR N512HH Fatal (1) destroyed
The pilot-in-command's failure to maintain main rotor RPM, resulting in loss of control of the helicopter and collision with terrain. Factors include…

The pilot-in-command's failure to maintain main rotor RPM, resulting in loss of control of the helicopter and collision with terrain. Factors included the pilot's lack of experience in helicopters, and interpersonal relationship problems between the pilot and his girlfriend.

Sep 06, 1996 LOREAUVILLE, LA N80750 Incident substantial
The pilot's inadequate preflight planning/preparation for the flight, resulting in exceeding the maximum gross weight and performance of the helicopte…

The pilot's inadequate preflight planning/preparation for the flight, resulting in exceeding the maximum gross weight and performance of the helicopter. A factor was the high density altitude.

Jul 19, 1996 MORGAN HILL, CA N730SH Incident substantial
The student's improper reaction to an engine/main rotor overspeed condition, and his failure to achieve the proper zero airspeed nose high attitude du…

The student's improper reaction to an engine/main rotor overspeed condition, and his failure to achieve the proper zero airspeed nose high attitude during a touchdown from an autorotation.

Jun 07, 1996 SANTA CLARITA, CA N40009 Minor substantial the pilot's failure to abandon the pinnacle approach after encountering an excessive rate of descent.
Jun 05, 1996 PASO ROBLES, CA N2311R Incident substantial the student pilot's loss of control and subsequent dynamic rollover due to his abrupt and excessive use of the collective and anti-torque controls.
May 01, 1996 SANTA ANA, CA N9070N Serious (1) destroyed the pilot misjudged the helicopter's distance and altitude and failed to attain the proper descent rate.
Apr 19, 1996 FRANKLIN, LA N2329K Incident substantial
The pilot's poor judgment in attempting to refuel the helicopter with the engine (and rotors) operating. Factors relating to the accident were: the g…

The pilot's poor judgment in attempting to refuel the helicopter with the engine (and rotors) operating. Factors relating to the accident were: the gusty wind condition, and close proximity of the vehicle that was allowed to be driven under the turning rotors.

Mar 23, 1996 FAIRFIELD, NJ N221CW Incident substantial the flight instructor's inadequate supervision in that he delayed corrective action in recovering the low rotor RPM resulting in a loss of control.
Feb 24, 1996 GARLAND, TX N8141L Incident substantial Failure of the pilot to maintain sufficient altitude and tail rotor clearance from the terrain, while demonstrating rearward movement in a hover.
Nov 24, 1995 FRESNO, CA N90452 Incident substantial failure of the pilot to maintain proper control of the helicopter, while in a hover.
Jun 26, 1995 WINDEMERE, FL N869BD Serious (2) substantial
THE INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT INSPECTION BY THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND IN THAT HE FAILED TO DRAIN ALL THE WATER FROM THE FUEL SYSTEM, RESULTING IN AN TOTAL LOSS …

THE INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT INSPECTION BY THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND IN THAT HE FAILED TO DRAIN ALL THE WATER FROM THE FUEL SYSTEM, RESULTING IN AN TOTAL LOSS OF POWER. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE UNSUITABLE TERRAIN ENCOUNTERED BY THE PILOT DURING THE AUTOROTATION.

Jun 09, 1995 DON-TORCUATO, AR LVRBD Incident substantial Investigation pending
May 07, 1995 MIAMI, FL N2321X Incident substantial
INADEQUATE SUPERVISION BY THE CFI FOR ALLOWING THE STUDENT TO INITIATE INITIAL FLARE AND POWER RECOVERY AT 100 FEET INSTEAD OF 40 FEET AND 40 FEET INS…

INADEQUATE SUPERVISION BY THE CFI FOR ALLOWING THE STUDENT TO INITIATE INITIAL FLARE AND POWER RECOVERY AT 100 FEET INSTEAD OF 40 FEET AND 40 FEET INSTEAD OF 8-10 FEET RESPECTIVELY. ADDITIONALLY, FAILURE OF THE CFI TO COMPLY WITH THE FAA APPROVED FLIGHT MANUALS.

Apr 02, 1995 HEALDSBURG, CA N2323K Incident substantial
the instructor failed to adequately monitor the student pilot's actions and to react within the control margin necessary to successfully initiate a co…

the instructor failed to adequately monitor the student pilot's actions and to react within the control margin necessary to successfully initiate a corrective action.

Jan 22, 1995 PLACITAS, NM N269ME Incident substantial
THE PILOT OPERATED BEYOND THE CLIMB CAPABILITY OF THE HELICOPTER, RESULTING IN INADEQUATE ALTITUDE AND TERRAIN CLEARANCE OVER MOUNTAINOUS RISING TERRA…

THE PILOT OPERATED BEYOND THE CLIMB CAPABILITY OF THE HELICOPTER, RESULTING IN INADEQUATE ALTITUDE AND TERRAIN CLEARANCE OVER MOUNTAINOUS RISING TERRAIN. A FACTOR WAS TURBULENCE.

Oct 14, 1994 EUNICE, LA N80546 Fatal (1) destroyed
THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO PROPERLY USE CARBURETOR HEAT, THE FORMATION OF CARBURETOR ICE, AND FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN ROTOR RPM AFTER LOSS OF ENG…

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO PROPERLY USE CARBURETOR HEAT, THE FORMATION OF CARBURETOR ICE, AND FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN ROTOR RPM AFTER LOSS OF ENGINE POWER, WHICH RESULTED IN A LOSS OF CONTROL AND COLLISION WITH TERRAIN. A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS: THE WEATHER CONDITION, WHICH WAS CONDUCIVE TO CARBURETOR ICING.

Jun 17, 1994 ELIZABETHTOWN, KY N2346J Incident substantial
THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL. A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS: THE HELICOPTER WAS OUTSIDE THE HEIGHT-VELOCITY ENVELOPE (F…

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL. A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS: THE HELICOPTER WAS OUTSIDE THE HEIGHT-VELOCITY ENVELOPE (FOR A SUCCESSFUL AUTOROTATION), WHEN LOSS OF DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OCCURRED.

May 19, 1994 STOCKTON, CA N2314Z Minor substantial A FAILURE OF THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND OF A LANDING HELICOPTER TO MAINTAIN SUFFICIENT CLEARANCE FROM A SECOND HELICOPTER.
May 05, 1994 NORTH BERGEN, NJ N503TH Fatal (2) destroyed The pilot's failure to maintain adequate visual lookout and adequate obstacle clearance, which resulted in an inflight collision with a static wire.
Mar 04, 1994 LONG BEACH, CA N2327C Incident substantial the student pilot's improper use of the collective and tail rotor controls, and the flight instructor's inadequate supervision of the flight.
Jan 16, 1994 GURABO, PR N193HC Incident substantial
COMPLETE SEPARATION OF ONE OF THE TWO VEE-BELTS, AND COMPLETE SEPARATION OF 1/2 OF THE REMAINING BELT. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE DARK NIGH…

COMPLETE SEPARATION OF ONE OF THE TWO VEE-BELTS, AND COMPLETE SEPARATION OF 1/2 OF THE REMAINING BELT. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE DARK NIGHT CONDITION AND UNSUITABLE TERRAIN ENCOUNTERED DURING THE AUTOROTATIVE LANDING.

Oct 31, 1993 SANTA ROSA, CA N8452Z Incident substantial
the separation of the tail rotor due to a collision with a mylar balloon and the subsequent hard landing during an autorotation. A factor in the acci…

the separation of the tail rotor due to a collision with a mylar balloon and the subsequent hard landing during an autorotation. A factor in the accident was the dark night lighting conditions which limited the pilot's ability to see and avoid the balloon.

Sep 30, 1993 DEMING, NM N2360B Serious (2) substantial THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PLANNING AND PREPARATION. FACTORS WERE HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE AND THE OVER GROSS WEIGHT CONDITION OF THE AIRCRAFT.
Sep 24, 1993 WILDOMAR, CA N40049 Fatal (2) destroyed
THE FAILURE OF THE TAIL ROTOR BLADE AFTER BEING STRUCK BY THE PILOT'S KNEE BOARD, AND THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO ADEQUATELY SECURE THE KNEE BOARD WHI…

THE FAILURE OF THE TAIL ROTOR BLADE AFTER BEING STRUCK BY THE PILOT'S KNEE BOARD, AND THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO ADEQUATELY SECURE THE KNEE BOARD WHILE IN FLIGHT.

Sep 19, 1993 SCOTTDALE, PA N88RD Incident substantial THE PILOT'S SELECTION OF UNSUITABLE TERRAIN FOR LANDING AND HIS DELAY IN PERFORMING REMEDIAL ACTION.
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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