Robinson Helicopter R44 accident near Unalaska, Alaska, June 20, 2010
On June 20, 2010 at about 1:00 am local time, a Robinson Helicopter R44, registered N333DV, was substantially damaged in an accident during maneuvering (hover) near Unalaska, Alaska. It was an other work-use flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's inappropriate low altitude maneuvering, which resulted in a collision with terrain.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 20, 2010 · about 1:00 am local time
- Place
- Unalaska, Alaska · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Robinson Helicopter R44 · all R44s on the register
- Registration
- N333DV · no longer on the register · serial 1927
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Other work-use flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
A ranch employee reported that he and another employee were onboard the helicopter with the pilot when they spotted a bull that had become entangled in plastic wrapping material. Both employees egressed the helicopter in an effort to try to cut the plastic off the animal. The pilot maneuvered the helicopter in an attempt to herd the bull toward them with no success. The pilot then attempted to land the helicopter on a portion of the plastic that was trailing behind the bull, which would aid the employees in being able to approach it. After that was unsuccessful, the pilot tried to knock the bull down with the helicopter. The pilot eventually managed to maneuver the helicopter's right skid under the plastic and began to elevate the bull. As the helicopter moved forward, it moved to the right and impacted the ground, killing the pilot and the bull.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Low altitude operation/event during maneuvering (hover)
- Loss of control in flight during maneuvering (hover) defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during maneuvering (hover)
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Lateral/bank control › Capability exceeded
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Directional control › Not attained/maintained
- cause Personnel issues › Action/decision › Info processing/decision › Decision making/judgment › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 1,000 hours in all; 400 in this make and model; 1,000 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: March 17, 2010
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 555 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, May 22, 2010
- Maximum gross weight: 2,400 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-540-F1B5 (piston); 0 hours total
- Operator: Bering Pacific Ranches LTD
The flight
- Departed from: Unalaska AK at 8:00 pm
- Destination: Unalaska AK
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 160° at 17 knots, gusting 21
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 20,000 ft; clear
- Temperature: 54°F (12°C), dew point 37°F (3°C)
- Altimeter: 29.86 inHg
- Observation at 7:58 pm from PADU, 61 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.