Robinson Helicopter Company R44 II accident near Wheeling, Illinois, August 11, 2021
On August 11, 2021 at about 11:40 am local time, a 2021 Robinson Helicopter Company R44 II, registered N4043B, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Wheeling, Illinois (Chicago Exec airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A partial loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined based on available information.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 11, 2021 · about 11:40 am local time
- Place
- Wheeling, Illinois · Chicago Exec · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Robinson Helicopter Company R44 II, built 2021
- Registration
- N4043B · registry record · serial 14431
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported a decrease in engine and rotor rpm during cruise flight. The pilot reported that he heard sounds from the engine “like detonations,” and he placed the helicopter into autorotation and landed on a road. The helicopter rotor blades struck a pole and the helicopter rolled onto its right side. Downloaded data from the engine monitoring unit confirmed the decrease in engine and rotor rpm. Functional testing of the engine and electronic governor control revealed no anomalies. Bench testing of the engine rpm sensor and the electronic governor control unit also revealed no anomalies. During functional testing, it was confirmed that the manual throttle control could be used to override the governor control. Based on the available information, the reason for the decrease in engine rpm reported by the pilot 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 initial climb
- Unknown or undetermined during initial climb defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 159 hours in all; 137 in this make and model; 48 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 70 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection; 70 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,600 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming IO-540 (piston); 70 hours total
- Operator: Crown Point Helicopter LLC
The flight
- Destination: Morton Grove IL
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 210° at 14 knots, gusting 23
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 2,500 ft; scat at 1,800 ft
- Temperature: 82°F (28°C), dew point 75°F (24°C)
- Altimeter: 29.84 inHg
- Observation at 9:23 am from KPWK
Weather report (METAR): SPECI KPWK 111423Z 21014G23KT 10SM SCT018 BKN025 28/24 A2984 RMK AO2 T02780244=
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
5 documents, released by the NTSB on March 1, 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 | Governor Controller and Emu Examination Report | PDF, 7 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 9 pages | View Download |
| 3 | Engine Monitoring Unit Download | data file | Download |
| 4 | Maintenance Records | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 5 | Aircraft Examination Notes | PDF, 9 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.