N445JS Robinson Helicopter Company R44 accident

NTSB CEN26LA168 · 2026-04-17 · Mount Blanco, TX

Docket — crew, injuries and powerplant

Factual narrative

The purpose of the low-level flight was to perform the aerial hunting of wild pigs and coyotes in a remote area that the pilot had not flown in before. The doors were removed from the helicopter, and the two paying passengers onboard were equipped with firearms. During the flight at 75 ft agl and 50 kts, the pilot observed two coyotes and decided to maneuver the helicopter into the wind so the passengers could engage the coyotes with their firearms. The pilot turned the helicopter to the left, into the wind, and during the turn he heard the engine rpm decrease. After checking the cockpit gauges, he noticed that the engine rpm and the main rotor rpm were both decreasing. The pilot increased the throttle, lowered the collective; however, the engine rpm and the main rotor rpm were still decreasing. The pilot maneuvered the helicopter for a forced landing. The helicopter impacted terrain and came to rest on its left side in a remote canyon. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the main rotor system, the fuselage, the tail cone, and the tail rotor system. The pilot reported there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airframe or the engine that would have precluded normal operation. The calculated density altitude for the closest metrological reporting station, near the time of the accident, was about 5,145 ft. The Robinson Helicopter Company has published Safety Notice SN-34 Aerial Survey and Photo Flights which provides pilot guidance that can also be applicable to aerial hunting flights and states that to “only fly the aircraft at speeds, altitudes, and wind angles that are safe and allow good escape routes.”

Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain proper main rotor rpm during a low-level turn, which resulted in the main rotor rpm drooping, a loss of control at an altitude too low for recovery, and a subsequent impact with terrain. The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this accident.

Circumstances

Event type

Accident

Highest injury

Minor

Weather conditions

Visual Meteorological Cond

Light condition

Day

Sky condition

BKN

Ceiling (ft)

25000

Visibility (sm)

10

Wind direction

220

Wind speed (kt)

14

Temperature (F)

72

Distance from field

0.0

Aircraft

Sequence of events

Findings