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 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.
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.

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.
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 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.
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 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.

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.

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 19, 1993 SCOTTDALE, PA N88RD Incident substantial THE PILOT'S SELECTION OF UNSUITABLE TERRAIN FOR LANDING AND HIS DELAY IN PERFORMING REMEDIAL ACTION.
Aug 27, 1993 BETHALTO, IL N9071S Incident substantial the pilot-in-command's not maintaining rotor RPM.
Aug 04, 1993 MIAMI, FL N24049 Incident substantial
THE COMMERCIAL RATED STUDENT PILOT'S FAILURE TO INSURE THE INSTRUCTOR HAD TAKEN CONTROL OF THE HELICOPTER AND THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTORS FAILURE TO PROPER…

THE COMMERCIAL RATED STUDENT PILOT'S FAILURE TO INSURE THE INSTRUCTOR HAD TAKEN CONTROL OF THE HELICOPTER AND THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTORS FAILURE TO PROPERLY SUPERVISE THE STUDENT WHICH RESULTED IN THE STUDENT LETTING GO OF THE CONTROLS WHILE IN A HOVER.

Jul 28, 1993 VENICE, CA N23517 Incident substantial
The failure of the pilot to maintain proper main rotor RPM, altitude, and airspeed during the performance of a steep turn. Inadequate in-flight plann…

The failure of the pilot to maintain proper main rotor RPM, altitude, and airspeed during the performance of a steep turn. Inadequate in-flight planning and overconfidence in the pilot's abilities were factors in this accident.

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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