How many accidents has the Robinson R22 had?

The NTSB has recorded 520 events involving the Robinson R22: 112 fatal, 47 serious, 72 minor injuries, and 278 incidents with no injuries.

Is the Robinson R22 a safe aircraft?

Safety depends on many factors beyond the aircraft model, including pilot training, maintenance, and weather conditions. The Robinson R22 has 520 NTSB-recorded events. Always review individual reports for context — many events involve pilot error or weather, not aircraft defects.

Robinson R22 Safety Record

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

520

All Events

278

Incidents

Minor

Serious

112

Fatal (157 fatalities)

Date	Location	Reg#	Severity	Damage	Probable Cause
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.
Sep 10, 1993	FLORISTON, CA	N47NH	Minor	substantial	the flight instructor's failure to maintain main rotor RPM after initiating a go-around from a pinnacle approach. A factor in the accident was the hi… the flight instructor's failure to maintain main rotor RPM after initiating a go-around from a pinnacle approach. A factor in the accident was the high density altitude condition.
Apr 27, 1993	MURRAYSVILLE, PA	N2618Z	Minor	substantial	FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN ROTOR RPM, WHICH RESULTED IN A HARD LANDING AND ROLLOVER. A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT'S LACK OF T… FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN ROTOR RPM, WHICH RESULTED IN A HARD LANDING AND ROLLOVER. A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT'S LACK OF TOTAL HELICOPTER EXPERIENCE.
Feb 07, 1993	BEND, OR	N4085M	Minor	substantial	ROTOR RPM WAS NOT MAINTAINED. FACTORS TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: LOW CEILING AND POOR INFLIGHT PLANNING.
Oct 05, 1992	NAPLES, FL	N2321X	Minor	substantial	INCORRECT AIRSPEED, INSUFFICIENT AIRSPEED, AND FAILURE OF THE PILOT IN COMMAND TO PERFORM THE CORRECT EMERGENCY PROCEDURE FOLLOWING THE IN FLIGHT LOSS… INCORRECT AIRSPEED, INSUFFICIENT AIRSPEED, AND FAILURE OF THE PILOT IN COMMAND TO PERFORM THE CORRECT EMERGENCY PROCEDURE FOLLOWING THE IN FLIGHT LOSS OF CONTROL. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS SELF INDUCED PRESSURE BY THE PILOT IN COMMAND.
Nov 17, 1991	OCALA, FL	N4072U	Minor	substantial	THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S IMPROPER USE OF COLLECTIVE CONTROL AND THROTTLE DURING RECOVERY FROM AN AUTOROTATION WHICH RESULTED IN LOSS OF ROTOR RPM AND A … THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S IMPROPER USE OF COLLECTIVE CONTROL AND THROTTLE DURING RECOVERY FROM AN AUTOROTATION WHICH RESULTED IN LOSS OF ROTOR RPM AND A SUBSEQUENT HARD LANDING.
Sep 17, 1991	LEWISVILLE, TX	N2306C	Minor	destroyed	LOSS OF CONTROL DUE TO FOREIGN OBJECT DAMAGE INDUCED BINDING FLIGHT CONTROLS. A FACTOR WAS IMPROPER MAINTENANCE.
May 05, 1991	ANN ARBOR, MI	N2360K	Minor	substantial	LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO CARBURETOR ICE, AND THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO USE CARBURETOR HEAT. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: CARBURETOR ICING… LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO CARBURETOR ICE, AND THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO USE CARBURETOR HEAT. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: CARBURETOR ICING CONDITIONS, AND A FALSE INDICATION FROM THE CARBURETOR AIR TEMPERATURE GAGE.
Sep 29, 1990	ALBANY, TX	N2550B	Minor	substantial	FUEL STARVATION POWER LOSS DUE TO THE INADVERTENT MOVEMENT OF THE FUEL SELECTOR VALVE BY THE PASSENGER.
Apr 29, 1990	MAMMOTH LAKES, CA	N8560M	Minor	substantial	PILOT'S ENCOUNTER WITH A STRONG DOWNDRAFT WHILE CRUISING AT AN INADEQUATE ALTITUDE. A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR WAS THE HIGH ALTITUDE WHICH LIMITED AVAILABL… PILOT'S ENCOUNTER WITH A STRONG DOWNDRAFT WHILE CRUISING AT AN INADEQUATE ALTITUDE. A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR WAS THE HIGH ALTITUDE WHICH LIMITED AVAILABLE ENGINE POWER FOR RECOVERY.
Apr 22, 1990	PRNC FREDERICK, MD	N2580E	Minor	substantial	THE PILOT'S IMPROPER PLANNING/DECISION BY NOT SHUTTING DOWN THE ENGINE OR ASSURING THE HELICOPTER WAS PROPERLY ATTENDED,WHEN HE DEPLANED.
Oct 26, 1989	SIMI VALLEY, CA	N84817	Minor	substantial	STUDENT PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN THE PROPER ALTITUDE.
Aug 10, 1989	SCOTTSDALE, AZ	N8477B	Minor	substantial	IMPROPERLY USE OF THE FLIGHT CONTROLS BY THE PILOT AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE HELICOPTER.
Jul 02, 1989	AUSTIN, TX	N888CG	Minor	destroyed	THE PILOT'S IMPROPER INFLIGHT PLANNING/DECISION, WHICH RESULTED IN A SITUATION WHERE HE WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE ROTOR RPM. FACTORS RELATED TO… THE PILOT'S IMPROPER INFLIGHT PLANNING/DECISION, WHICH RESULTED IN A SITUATION WHERE HE WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE ROTOR RPM. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: HIGH TEMPERATURE, TAILWIND, AND TREES.
Nov 29, 1988	SHARON, MA	N9035U	Minor	substantial	ENGINE POWER LOSS WHILE LANDING DUE TO FUEL EXHAUSTION.
Oct 01, 1988	ORLANDO, FL	N2628B	Minor	substantial	Investigation pending
Jun 06, 1988	BAKERSFIELD, CA	N2634N	Minor	substantial	Investigation pending
Apr 12, 1987	POTTSTOWN, PA	N85570	Minor	substantial	Investigation pending
Oct 05, 1986	MINDEN, LA	N90455	Minor	substantial	Investigation pending
May 15, 1986	TUCSON, AZ	N9072Y	Minor	substantial	Investigation pending
Sep 05, 1982	EDEN, TX	N90744	Minor	substantial	Investigation pending
May 24, 1982	ADA, OK	N90763	Minor	substantial	Investigation pending

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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Robinson R22 Safety Record

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