Robinson Helicopter R44 accident near Macedonia, Iowa, August 9, 2026
On August 9, 2026 at about 4:35 pm local time, a 2004 Robinson Helicopter R44, registered N197HL, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff near Macedonia, Iowa. It was an aerial application (crop spraying) flight under agricultural flying rules (Part 137). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The NTSB has not yet published a probable cause for this accident. Investigations usually take one to two years; this page updates when the final report is released.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 12, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 9, 2026 · about 4:35 pm local time · cases in 2026
- Place
- Macedonia, Iowa · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Robinson Helicopter R44, built 2004 · all R44s on the register
- Registration
- N197HL · registry record · serial 1386
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Aerial application (crop spraying) flight · agricultural flying rules (Part 137)
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during takeoff
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during maneuvering (low-alt flying)
- Collision during takeoff/land during takeoff defining event
The aircraft
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Operator: Cedar Ridge Aviation, LLC
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 190° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 84°F (29°C), dew point 75°F (24°C)
- Altimeter: 29.83 inHg
- Observation at 11:00 am from KRDK, 6 miles away
Weather report (METAR): METAR KRDK 091556Z AUTO 19011KT 10SM CLR 29/24 A2983 RMK AO2
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The NTSB has not released the docket for this case yet. The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), is usually released when the investigation is nearly complete, and the list here is refreshed when it appears. Check at the NTSB.
Connections how this case links to the rest of the register
- N197HL on the register today · the tail number may have moved to another aircraft since
- Robinson R44 1,938 registered today · the model family and its accident history
- Accidents and incidents in Iowa 869 since 1982 · 129 in the last ten years
- Iowa 4,503 aircraft registered
The whole map of how records connect · these connections as data: /graph/accident/ANC26LA082.json.
The bigger picture in Aviation Analytics: accidents over time since 1982, by model, by phase of flight and conditions, by place and on the map.
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 does not name anyone involved, its policy at this time. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.