Robinson R44 Safety Record

Complete NTSB accident and incident history. 366 events recorded from 1993 to 2026.

366

All Events

107

Incidents

45

Minor

33

Serious

165

Fatal (345 fatalities)

Date Location Reg# Severity Damage Probable Cause
Dec 04, 2025 Buenos Aires, OF LV-JKR Minor Investigation pending
Dec 14, 2024 Los Lagos, OF CC-AHA Minor substantial Investigation pending
Aug 07, 2023 Borroloola, OF VH-HRB Minor substantial Investigation pending
Jul 09, 2022 Oktyabsky, RS RA-04373 Minor substantial Investigation pending
Jun 20, 2022 Rio das Ostras, OF PP-MDS Minor substantial Investigation pending
Jan 19, 2022 Florianopolis, OF PR-NEW Minor substantial Investigation pending
Jan 25, 2021 Sevelen, SZ HB-ZSA Minor substantial Investigation pending
Oct 16, 2020 Pahrump, NV N500DL Minor substantial
The pilot’s failure to maintain helicopter control while hovering low over a body a water while facing into the sun, which resulted in a loss of visua…

The pilot’s failure to maintain helicopter control while hovering low over a body a water while facing into the sun, which resulted in a loss of visual reference and subsequent impact with the lake surface.

Jul 27, 2020 Hebron, NE N771GB Minor substantial
A loss of engine power due to water contamination in the fuel system. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s inadequate preflight to sump the fu…

A loss of engine power due to water contamination in the fuel system. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s inadequate preflight to sump the fuel tanks prior to flight.

Jul 02, 2020 Welsh, LA N7511D Minor substantial
A partial loss of engine power while in flight due to corrosion of engine components, which resulted in a loss of control and a subsequent impact with…

A partial loss of engine power while in flight due to corrosion of engine components, which resulted in a loss of control and a subsequent impact with terrain.

Feb 21, 2020 Talkeetna, AK N716JL Minor substantial
The pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance from snow covered terrain during an en route descent in flat light conditions, which resulted in co…

The pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance from snow covered terrain during an en route descent in flat light conditions, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain.

Dec 14, 2019 San Antonio, TX N440AH Minor substantial
Maintenance personnel’s failure to complete all necessary steps of a service bulletin and subsequent failure to identify the loose lower actuator bear…

Maintenance personnel’s failure to complete all necessary steps of a service bulletin and subsequent failure to identify the loose lower actuator bearing support bracket during inspections, which resulted in the misalignment of the clutch actuator, resulted in a loss of belt tension on the main rotor drive system, and the subsequent forced landing.

Jul 31, 2019 Fessenden, ND N3066T Minor substantial The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from wires during an agricultural application flight.
Jul 27, 2019 Blair, NE N7508Z Minor substantial
The failure of the lower actuator bearing support bracket, which resulted in the misalignment of the clutch actuator, the loss of belt tension on the …

The failure of the lower actuator bearing support bracket, which resulted in the misalignment of the clutch actuator, the loss of belt tension on the main rotor drive system, and the subsequent forced landing on sloped terrain.

Jul 21, 2019 Ida Grove, IA N459TA Minor substantial A total loss of engine power during an aerial application flight for undetermined reasons.
Jul 16, 2019 Council Bluff, IA N124LA Minor substantial
The pilot's improper cyclic input during liftoff from a landing deck, which resulted in the right skid hooking onto an opening on the landing deck and…

The pilot's improper cyclic input during liftoff from a landing deck, which resulted in the right skid hooking onto an opening on the landing deck and a subsequent dynamic rollover.

Jun 08, 2019 Last Chance, CO N4504L Minor substantial
The pilot's failure to maintain adequate main rotor rpm while descending with a tailwind during an aerial application maneuver, which resulted in an u…

The pilot's failure to maintain adequate main rotor rpm while descending with a tailwind during an aerial application maneuver, which resulted in an uncontrolled descent into terrain.

Jan 08, 2019 Uvalde, TX N484AB Minor substantial
The slipping of the sprag clutch due to galling of the sprags and corresponding sprag contact surfaces within the clutch assembly, which rendered the …

The slipping of the sprag clutch due to galling of the sprags and corresponding sprag contact surfaces within the clutch assembly, which rendered the helicopter uncontrollable.

Jul 27, 2018 Elma, IA N466EL Minor substantial The pilot's failure maintain clearance from power lines during an agricultural application flight.
Jul 27, 2018 Lantana, FL N479AT Minor substantial The student pilot’s improper pitch control during landing, which resulted in a dynamic rollover.
Oct 08, 2017 Namur, BE OO-FLY Minor substantial Investigation pending
Apr 27, 2017 Newton, NC N728CB Minor substantial
The pilot's failure to maintain an adequate airspeed during out-of-ground-effect maneuvering at a low airspeed with a tailwind, which resulted in a lo…

The pilot's failure to maintain an adequate airspeed during out-of-ground-effect maneuvering at a low airspeed with a tailwind, which resulted in a loss of helicopter control due to a loss of tail rotor effectiveness.

Mar 23, 2016 Oak Island, NC N843JB Minor substantial The student pilot's failure to maintain a stabilized hover, resulting in a loss of control and an impact with terrain.
Aug 22, 2015 Natolin village, PL SP-TVN Minor destroyed Investigation pending
Aug 07, 2015 Kansasville, WI N20KD Minor destroyed The pilot's inability to see and avoid power lines that were low to the ground and a green color that blended with the background crops.
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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