Robinson Helicopter Company R44 II accident near Dunlap, Illinois, April 15, 2015
On April 15, 2015 at about 9:00 pm local time, a 2006 Robinson Helicopter Company R44 II, registered N754R, was substantially damaged in an accident during enroute (climb to cruise) near Dunlap, Illinois. It was an aerial observation flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A loss of main rotor rpm for reasons that could not be determined during postaccident examinations.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- April 15, 2015 · about 9:00 pm local time
- Place
- Dunlap, Illinois · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Robinson Helicopter Company R44 II II, built 2006
- Registration
- N754R · registry record · serial 11318
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Aerial observation flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The commercial pilot stated he and the passenger were conducting a helicopter flight to observe and count geese at an altitude of 300 ft above the ground at an indicated airspeed of 60 knots. The pilot increased the collective to transition to another area when he noticed an increase in engine rpm and a decrease in rotor rpm along with the illumination of a main rotor warning light. The clutch warning light did not illuminate. The pilot initiated a downwind autorotation to a plowed field. The helicopter tipped forward on its skids, the main rotor contacted the ground, and the helicopter rolled over. Although a postaccident examination of the clutch and V-belts revealed some limited component wear, and some minor anomalies to the best tension actuator were noted, no anomalies were identified with the clutch system that would have resulted in a loss of main rotor rpm.
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
- Sys/Comp malf/fail (non-power) during enroute (climb to cruise) defining event
- Autorotation Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain)
- Roll over during landing (flare/touchdown)
The NTSB's findings
- cause Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › Terrain › (general) › Contributed to outcome
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane; instrument: helicopter; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 4,175 hours in all; 182 in this make and model; 55 in the last 90 days; 50 in the last 30 days; 4,000 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: March 30, 2014
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Last inspection: annual inspection, April 5, 2015
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming IO-540-AE1A5 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: IKK Kankakee IL at 8:00 pm
- Destination: C15 Pekin IL
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 090° at 17 knots, gusting 25
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 73°F (23°C), dew point 28°F (-2°C)
- Altimeter: 30.06 inHg
- Observation at 9:54 pm from PIA, 5 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
7 documents, released by the NTSB on September 6, 2016. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 9 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Pilot Statement | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 3 | Component Examination | PDF, 8 pages | View Download |
| 4 | Logbook Entries | PDF, 4 pages | View Download |
| 5 | Component Information | PDF, 5 pages | View Download |
| 6 | Statement of Party Representatives to NTSB Investigation | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 7 | Photo Array | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
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.