Robinson Helicopter R44 accident near De Kalb, Texas, March 11, 2023
On March 11, 2023 at about 9:30 pm local time, a 2008 Robinson Helicopter R44, registered N4164T, was substantially damaged in an accident during maneuvering (low-alt flying) near De Kalb, Texas (N/A airport). It was an aerial observation flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured and 1 person had minor injuries; 2 others were unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot’s inability to maintain control of the helicopter due to his failure to maintain rotor speed. Contributing to the accident was the failure of the helicopter’s low rotor speed warning system.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- March 11, 2023 · about 9:30 pm local time
- Place
- De Kalb, Texas · N/A · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured and 1 person had minor injuries; 2 others were unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Robinson Helicopter R44, built 2008 · all R44s on the register
- Registration
- N4164T · no longer on the register · serial 1882
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Aerial observation flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The flight was conducted to hunt feral hogs. The pilot reported that a group of hogs had entered a large field, and he lowered the collective to maneuver the helicopter closer. When he lowered the collective, he perceived a loss of engine and rotor speed. The helicopter immediately began to lose lift. Once the pilot realized that he could not recover the helicopter, he attempted a running (skid-on) landing. However, the landing skids got stuck in the muddy field, the helicopter rocked forward, and the main rotor blades struck the ground causing the aircraft to roll over. The pilot reported the low rotor speed warning did not activate when the rotor speed started to decay. He also stated that all required preflight checklists were complied with before the flight began and no anomalies were noted. A postrecovery examination was unremarkable with exception of the low rotor warning system, which was not operational at the time of the examination. Specifically, the warning system did not activate when the collective control was brought off the low pitch stop and increased to full travel. The reason for the failure of the low rotor warning system was not 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
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during emergency descent
- Loss of control in flight during maneuvering (low-alt flying) defining event
- Sys/Comp malf/fail (non-power) during maneuvering (low-alt flying)
The NTSB's findings
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Use of equip/system › Pilot
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- Aircraft › Aircraft systems › Indicating/recording systems › Central warning › Inoperative
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 1,972 hours in all; 355 in this make and model; 135 in the last 90 days; 70 in the last 30 days; 1,750 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: November 2, 2022
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rear
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,065.3 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, December 10, 2022; 16.9 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,400 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-540-F1B5 (piston); 2,065 hours total
- Operator: Hotel Sierra Aviation LLC
The flight
- Departed from: PVT Haworth OK at 9:00 pm
- Destination: PVT Haworth OK
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 190° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 9 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 2,700 ft; scat at 2,000 ft
- Temperature: 72°F (22°C), dew point 63°F (17°C)
- Altimeter: 29.62 inHg
- Observation at 3:53 pm from KTXK, 31 miles away
Weather report (METAR): METAR KTXK 112153Z 19008KT 9SM SCT020 BKN027 OVC036 22/17 A2962
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 | 1 | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
10 documents, released by the NTSB on January 2, 2025. 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, 10 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Pilot Statement | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 3 | Passenger Statements | PDF, 3 pages | View Download |
| 4 | Witness Statement (Pilot of 2ND Helicopter) | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 5 | Investigation Photos | PDF, 9 pages | View Download |
| 6 | Helicopter Examination Summary | PDF, 6 pages | View Download |
| 7 | Recovery Operator Statement | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 8 | Maintenance Records -- Airframe | PDF, 20 pages | View Download |
| 9 | Maintenance Records -- Engine | PDF, 16 pages | View Download |
| 10 | Statement of Party Representatives to NTSB Investigation | PDF, 2 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.