Robinson Helicopter Company R44 II accident near Anthony, Florida, August 13, 2026
On August 13, 2026 at about 3:05 am local time, a 2023 Robinson Helicopter Company R44 II, registered N861MP, was substantially damaged in an accident during enroute (cruise) near Anthony, Florida. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people 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 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 13, 2026 · about 3:05 am local time
- Place
- Anthony, Florida · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Robinson Helicopter Company R44 II, built 2023
- Registration
- N861MP · registry record · serial 14646
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative preliminary · quoted from the NTSB record
On August 12, 2026, at approximately 2305 eastern daylight time, a Robinson R44 Raven II helicopter, N861MP, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Anthony, Florida. The pilot and passenger sustained minor injuries. The helicopter was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. According to the pilot he had departed a private residence and had climbed to about 700 ft agl when the helicopter started to shake violently. Shortly thereafter the low rotor rpm warning system came on, the pilot lowered the collective and entered an autorotation. During the autorotation, the pilot applied full throttle and the engine and rotor rpm recovered into the normal operating range. As the pilot initiated a climb the engine lost all power again and the pilot made an emergency landing in a field; the helicopter came to rest on its right side. The helicopter is being relocated to a secure location; a detailed examination of the engine and airframe is pending.
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
- Loss of engine power (total) during enroute (cruise) defining event
The aircraft
- Last inspection: annual inspection, June 26, 2026
- Maximum gross weight: 2,500 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
The flight
- Departed from: 17FL Ocala FL at 2:45 am
- Destination: Eustis FL
Weather at the time
- Wind: from 340° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 79°F (26°C), dew point 72°F (22°C)
- Altimeter: 30.04 inHg
- Observation at 11:00 pm from KOCF, 9 miles away
Weather report (METAR): METAR KOCF 130251Z AUTO 34006KT 10SM CLR 26/22 A3004 RMK AO2 SLP173 T02610222 53009
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 2 |
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.
Other NTSB records under N861MP the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
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.