Robinson Helicopter Company R44 II accident near Dustin, Oklahoma, March 26, 2021
On March 26, 2021 at about 8:15 pm local time, a 2007 Robinson Helicopter Company R44 II, registered N178DF, was substantially damaged in an accident during maneuvering (low-alt flying) near Dustin, Oklahoma. It was an aerial observation flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people were seriously injured and 2 people had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot’s insufficient monitoring of the helicopter’s power while flying at low altitude and at low airspeed, which resulted in the loss of rotor rpm and impact with a tree and terrain.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- March 26, 2021 · about 8:15 pm local time
- Place
- Dustin, Oklahoma · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were seriously injured and 2 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Robinson Helicopter Company R44 II, built 2007
- Registration
- N178DF · no longer on the register · serial 11969
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Aerial observation flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot of the helicopter stated that, while maneuvering “low and slow” with three passengers onboard, he noticed “insufficient power” and shortly thereafter, the low rotor rpm warning annunciated. He applied full throttle and attempted to regain rotor rpm but was unsuccessful. The pilot stated that he was forced to land immediately, during which the helicopter impacted a tree then terrain, resulting in substantial damage. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures of the helicopter and recommended operating “at a lower gross weight.” Postacccident examination of the helicopter revealed no anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.
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 landing
- Loss of control in flight during maneuvering (low-alt flying) defining event
- Attempted remediation/recovery during uncontrolled descent
The NTSB's findings
- Personnel issues › Action/decision › Action › Incorrect action performance › Pilot
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Airspeed › Not attained/maintained
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › Object/animal/substance › Tree(s) › Effect on equipment
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: helicopter
- Flight time: 3,687 hours in all; 1,447 in this make and model; 124 in the last 90 days; 82 in the last 30 days; 3,552 as pilot in command; 0 on instruments
- Last flight review: June 3, 2020
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,347 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, January 18, 2021
- Maximum gross weight: 2,500 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming IO-540-AE1A5 (piston); 2,347 hours total
- Operator: Brush Popper Aviation LLC
The flight
- Departed from: F10 Henryetta OK at 6:30 pm
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 150° at 14 knots, gusting 21
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 75°F (24°C), dew point 45°F (7°C)
- Altimeter: 29.89 inHg
- Observation at 3:15 pm from OKM, 90 miles away
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
5 documents, released by the NTSB on July 29, 2022. 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 | FAA Inspector Statement | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 3 | Photo Log | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 4 | Airframe Logs | PDF, 38 pages | View Download |
| 5 | Engine Logs | PDF, 37 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.