Robinson Helicopter Company R44 II accident near Waterloo, Illinois, July 22, 2022
On July 22, 2022 at about 2:20 pm local time, a 2004 Robinson Helicopter Company R44 II, registered N442JE, was substantially damaged in an accident during maneuvering (low-alt flying) near Waterloo, Illinois. It was an aerial application (crop spraying) flight under agricultural flying rules (Part 137). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The malfunction of the flight controls for undetermined reasons.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 22, 2022 · about 2:20 pm local time
- Place
- Waterloo, Illinois · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Robinson Helicopter Company R44 II, built 2004
- Registration
- N442JE · registry record · serial 10250
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Aerial application (crop spraying) flight · agricultural flying rules (Part 137)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that he was maneuvering at low altitude to apply fungicide to a corn field. The collective flight control stiffened to a point that the pilot was unable to arrest the helicopter’s descent rate. The pilot attempted to use cyclic control to flare the helicopter and arrest the descent; however, the cyclic control was not responsive, and the helicopter impacted the ground. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the tail boom, fuselage, and main rotor system. The pilot stated that he suspected that the flight controls’ hydraulic assist system malfunctioned. During the on-site inspection, no obvious anomalies were found with the flight control system. Flight control continuity was confirmed on site. All 3 servos (2 forward and 1 aft) passed bench functionality tests and the hydraulic pump, reservoir, and fluids were normal. The right forward servo had a slightly bent piston shaft, but still was fully functional. The bent shaft was consistent with impact damage. The spool drives of each servo were examined and exhibited signatures consistent with normal operation. An examination of the hydraulic system components revealed no anomalies that would have precluded normal operations. The reason for the reported flight control malfunction 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
- Sys/Comp malf/fail (non-power) during maneuvering (low-alt flying) defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during maneuvering (low-alt flying)
The NTSB's findings
- Aircraft › Aircraft systems › Flight control system › (general) › Malfunction
- Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; instructor: instrument helicopter; instrument: helicopter; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 10,000 hours in all; 1,600 in this make and model; 270 in the last 90 days; 120 in the last 30 days
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 647 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, April 28, 2022; 85 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,400 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming IO-540 SER (piston); 647 hours total
The flight
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 260° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 81°F (27°C), dew point 70°F (21°C)
- Altimeter: 29.92 inHg
- Observation at 8:53 am from KCPS, 14 miles away
Weather report (METAR): KCPS 211353Z 26003KT 10SM CLR 27/21 A2992 RMK AO2 SLP126 T0272020
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
6 documents, released by the NTSB on June 5, 2024. 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 | NTSB Form 6120 Pilot Operator Report | PDF, 9 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Pilot Statement | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 3 | Memorandum for the Record Summary of FAA Findings on Scene | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 4 | Hydraulic System and Servo Examination Findings | PDF, 11 pages | View Download |
| 5 | Investigation Photographs | PDF, 4 pages | View Download |
| 6 | Memorandum for the Record Maintenance Record Excerpts | 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.