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).
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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 4, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 9, 2026 · about 4:35 pm local time
- 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 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flig | 1 |
About this page
Everything above comes from the NTSB's public accident database: the narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words, and the coded tables behind its report (pilot, aircraft, flight, weather, injuries, sequence of events) are written out in plain English. Pilots' ages, home towns and medical details are left out on purpose. The docket at the NTSB holds the report as a PDF and the investigation's photographs and documents. This site never names pilots, passengers or anyone else involved. A preliminary report describes what is known soon after the event and can change; the final report, with the probable cause, usually follows one to two years later and this page is refreshed when it does. Case number ANC26LA082.