Robinson Helicopter Company R44 II accident near Alice, Texas, September 14, 2015
On September 14, 2015 at about 8:30 pm local time, a 2008 Robinson Helicopter Company R44 II, registered N442CF, was substantially damaged in an accident during landing (flare/touchdown) near Alice, Texas. It was a personal 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 engine power during a practice power recovery autorotation for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 14, 2015 · about 8:30 pm local time
- Place
- Alice, Texas · 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 2008
- Registration
- N442CF · no longer on the register · serial 12200
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The commercial pilot was practicing emergency maneuvers in the helicopter. He completed two successful power recovery practice autorotations; however, during the third, the pilot noted a vibration in the rotor during the landing flare. He reported that, when he initiated the power recovery, the engine power "wasn't there." The pilot then leveled the helicopter and used the collective to soften the landing. Upon contacting the ground, the skids separated from the helicopter and the helicopter rolled onto its side. Examination of the helicopter and engine at the accident site did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation and the reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined.
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 (partial) during landing (flare/touchdown) defining event
- Hard landing during landing (flare/touchdown)
The NTSB's findings
- cause Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: instructor: helicopter; instrument: helicopter; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 677 hours in all; 100 in this make and model
- Medical certificate: Unknown
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1,308 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection
- Maximum gross weight: 2,500 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming IO-540-AE1A5 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: Alice TX at 7:45 pm
- Destination: Alice TX
- Flight plan: none
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 080° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: a few clouds at 5,000 ft
- Temperature: 90°F (32°C), dew point 66°F (19°C)
- Altimeter: 29.94 inHg
- Observation at 8:53 pm from ALI
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
5 documents, released by the NTSB on June 14, 2018. 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 | Memorandum for Record - Pilot Statement | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 3 | Memorandum for Record - Passenger Statement | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 4 | Memorandum for Record - FAA Inspector Statement | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 5 | Weather Information | PDF, 1 page | 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.