Robinson R44 accident near Gramzda, Lv, October 8, 2017
On October 8, 2017 at about 10:14 am local time, a Robinson R44 (helicopter), registered YLHBH, was involved in an accident during takeoff near Gramzda. 1 person was killed and 3 people were seriously injured.
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
- October 8, 2017 · about 10:14 am local time
- Place
- Gramzda, Latvia · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed and 3 people were seriously injured.
- Weather
- not recorded
- Aircraft
- Robinson R44 · all R44s on the register
- Registration
- YLHBH · no longer on the register
- Damage
- Not recorded
- Flight
- Flight
The NTSB's narrative preliminary · quoted from the NTSB record
On October 8, 2017, about 1014 Coordinated Universal Time (UTC), a Robinson R44 helicopter, YL-HBH, impacted a powerline after takeoff near Gramzda, Latvia. One passenger was fatally injured and the pilot and two other passengers on board were seriously injured.The incident is being investigated by the Transport Accident and Incident Investigation Bureau (TAIIB) of the Republic of Latvia. Inquiries regarding this incident should be directed to: Transport Accident and Incident Investigation Bureau 58 Brivibas Street Riga, LV-1011 Latvia
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
- Collision during takeoff/land during takeoff defining event
The aircraft
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
Weather at the time
- Temperature: 0°F (-18°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 | 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.
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.