Robinson Helicopter R44 accident near Bryant, Iowa, August 3, 2024
On August 3, 2024 at about 7:15 pm local time, a 2007 Robinson Helicopter R44, registered N225ML, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff near Bryant, Iowa. 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).
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The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A loss of engine power during takeoff for reasons that could not be determined, resulting in impact with terrain.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 4, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 3, 2024 · about 7:15 pm local time
- Place
- Bryant, Iowa · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Robinson Helicopter R44, built 2007 · all R44s on the register
- Registration
- N225ML · registry record · serial 1810
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Aerial application (crop spraying) flight · agricultural flying rules (Part 137)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
After takeoff from an agricultural load truck in a helicopter loaded with mixed liquid product to apply to a corn field, the pilot noticed a drop in rotor rpm. The pilot followed an area of terrain that sloped downward in an attempt to gain airspeed. The pilot attempted to increase rotor rpm but was unsuccessful. The pilot flared the helicopter while attempting to land; however, the helicopter impacted an area of rising terrain and came to rest on its left side. The pilot was able to exit the helicopter without further incident. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the fuselage, main rotor system, tail cone, and tail rotor system. Examination of the helicopter and engine revealed no indication of a pre-impact malfunction or failure that would have precluded normal operation. The governor system components were tested and no failures or malfunctions were found. Although the atmospheric conditions at the time of the accident were conducive to serious icing at glide power, the reported power loss occurred while at takeoff power. Based on the available evidence, the reason for the loss of engine power described 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
- Roll over during landing
- Unknown or undetermined during takeoff defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Engine (reciprocating) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: instrument: helicopter; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 3,122 hours in all; 656 in this make and model; 112 in the last 90 days; 75 in the last 30 days; 3,080 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: June 7, 2024
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1,763 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, June 15, 2024
- Maximum gross weight: 2,400 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-540-F1B5 (piston); 0 hours total
- Operator: Seaton Flying Services
The flight
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 230° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 86°F (30°C), dew point 72°F (22°C)
- Altimeter: 29.97 inHg
- Observation at 2:15 pm from KCWI, 6 miles away
Weather report (METAR): KCWI 031915Z AUTO 23004KT 10SM CLR 30/22 A2997 RMK T03000220 VRB04KT
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
9 documents, released by the NTSB on September 3, 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, 11 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Investigation Photographs | PDF, 3 pages | View Download |
| 3 | Examination Summary | PDF, 5 pages | View Download |
| 4 | FAA Inspector's Statement | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 5 | Weather Information | PDF, 3 pages | View Download |
| 6 | Memorandum for Record A�� Telephone Interview, Pilot | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 7 | Engine Data | data file | Download |
| 8 | Statement of Party Representatives to NTSB Investigation | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 9 | Release of Aircraft Wreckage, NTSB Form 6120.15 | 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.
About this page
Everything above comes from the NTSB's public accident database: the narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words, and the coded tables behind its report (pilot, aircraft, flight, weather, injuries, sequence of events) are written out in plain English. Pilots' ages, home towns and medical details are left out on purpose. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, the folder of records gathered during the investigation, shown as the NTSB released them (the NTSB redacts some personal details first) and listed under the NTSB's own titles. This site's own text never names pilots, passengers or anyone else involved. A preliminary report describes what is known soon after the event and can change; the final report, with the probable cause, usually follows one to two years later and this page is refreshed when it does. Case number CEN24LA303.