Robinson Helicopter R44 accident near Emerson, Iowa, July 20, 2026
On July 20, 2026 at about 3:55 pm local time, a 2001 Robinson Helicopter R44, registered N224RH, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff near Emerson, 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
The failure of the pilot to verify the loading hose had been disconnected before taking off and the failure of the loader to disconnect the fuel hose from the helicopter.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 4, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 20, 2026 · about 3:55 pm local time
- Place
- Emerson, 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 2001 · all R44s on the register
- Registration
- N224RH · registry record · serial 1137
- 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 report provided by the company representative stated that the loader signaled to the helicopter pilot a thumbs up and walked down the stairs of the mobile loading platform. As the pilot was taking off, everything initially seemed normal until the pilot felt a tug on the helicopter. The helicopter pulled down and to the right and descended until it impacted the terrain in a right-side nose down attitude which resulted in substantial damage to the fuselage, tail boom, and main rotor. After the accident it was noted that the dry break coupler had broken off the refueling hose from the mobile loading platform and remained attached to the helicopter. The company representative reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation. When interviewed, the owner stated that the pilot was supposed to receive a thumbs-up or thumbs-down to indicate if the helicopter was ready to leave the platform. He also said the pilot was also supposed to visually verify that the fuel and chemical hoses were disconnected. The pilot stated he took off the moment he saw the loader walk down the stairs and made no mention of looking for a thumbs up from the loader. The loader did not remember if he signaled the pilot with a thumbs up indicating that it was safe to take off.
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
- Ground handling event during standing (engine(s) operating)
- Miscellaneous/other during takeoff defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Use of equip/system › Ground crew
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Communication (personnel) › (general) › Ground crew
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Communication (personnel) › (general) › Pilot
- Aircraft › Aircraft handling/service › (general) › (general) › Incorrect use/operation
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Use of policy/procedure › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 6,216 hours in all; 2,170 in this make and model
- Last flight review: August 4, 2025
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 7,653.4 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, July 19, 2026
- Maximum gross weight: 2,400 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-540F1 SERIE (piston); 2,437 hours total
- Operator: Cedar Ridge Aviation
The flight
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 230° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 90°F (32°C), dew point 77°F (25°C)
- Altimeter: 29.85 inHg
- Observation at 11:00 am from KRDK, 5 miles away
Weather report (METAR): METAR KRDK 201555Z AUTO 23008KT 10SM CLR 32/25 A2985 RMK AO2
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flig | 1 |
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 docket at the NTSB holds the report as a PDF and the investigation's photographs and documents. This site 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 CEN26LA260.