Robinson R44 accident near Colorado City, Texas, December 10, 2020
On December 10, 2020 at about 3:30 pm local time, a 1995 Robinson R44 (helicopter), registered N7085Z, was destroyed in an accident during maneuvering (low-alt flying) near Colorado City, Texas. It was a business flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people were killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot’s loss of control and exceedance of performance and/or structural limitations during low-altitude operations, which resulted in an inflight breakup.. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s impairment from the effects of tetrahydrocannabinol.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- December 10, 2020 · about 3:30 pm local time
- Place
- Colorado City, Texas · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Robinson R44 Astro, built 1995 · all R44s on the register
- Registration
- N7085Z · no longer on the register · serial 0217
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Business flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot and passenger departed on a flight to herd cattle via helicopter. There were no witnesses to the accident. Examination of the wreckage and debris pattern was consistent with an inflight break-up at low altitude. Main rotor blade contact marks were found on the cabin section of the fuselage and likely occurred before ground impact. No preimpact anomalies were found with helicopter or engine. Toxicology of the pilot identified high levels of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC, the active compound in cannabis), as well as its active and inactive metabolites. Even accounting for postmortem redistribution, the levels of THC detected indicated recent use of cannabis and a very high likelihood of impairment. Given that gastric and liver levels were very high while lung levels were much lower, it is likely that the pilot used an edible form of the drug. Based on the available information, it is likely that the pilot lost control and exceeded the performance and/or structural limitations of the helicopter while flying at low-level, resulting in an inflight breakup. It is likely that the pilot’s impairment from his recent use of cannabis contributed to the accident.
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 control in flight during maneuvering (low-alt flying) defining event
- Low altitude operation/event during maneuvering (low-alt flying)
The NTSB's findings
- Personnel issues › Physical › Impairment/incapacitation › Illicit drug › Pilot
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › (general) › Capability exceeded
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 2,400 hours in all; 1,000 in this make and model
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded
- Maximum gross weight: 2,400 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-540 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: Colorado City TX at 3:00 pm
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 200° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 64°F (18°C), dew point 28°F (-2°C)
- Altimeter: 29.93 inHg
- Observation at 9:35 am from KSNK, 23 miles away
Weather report (METAR): KSNK 101755Z AUTO 20006KT 10SM CLR 18/M02 A2993 RMK AO2 T01751024
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
9 documents, released by the NTSB on February 8, 2023. 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 | Memorandum for the Record Airframe Examination Findings CEN21LA084 | PDF, 5 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Memorandum for the Record Engine Examination Findings CEN21LA084 | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 3 | Memorandum for the Record Wreckage Distribution CEN21LA084 | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 4 | Photo Array CEN21LA084 | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 5 | Toxicology Report | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 6 | Memorandum for the Record Pilot Information CEN21LA084 | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 7 | Medical Factual Report CEN21LA084 | PDF, 3 pages | View Download |
| 8 | Certificate of Party Representative Robinson Helicopters CEN21LA084 | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 9 | NTSB Release of Wreckage Form CEN21LA084 | 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.