Robinson R22 accident near Broomfield, Colorado, December 17, 2003
On December 17, 2003 at about 12:53 pm local time, a Robinson R22 (helicopter), registered N341MK, was destroyed in an accident near Broomfield, Colorado (Jefferson County Airport). It was an instructional flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
the flight instructor's failure to maintain aircraft control. Contributing to the accident was the wind gust.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- December 17, 2003 · about 12:53 pm local time
- Place
- Broomfield, Colorado · Jefferson County Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Robinson R22 · all R22s on the register
- Registration
- N341MK · registry record · serial 7640102
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The helicopter departed into the wind with the student at the controls. During the aerial taxi, the helicopter encountered turbulence. The flight instructor took control, and at approximately 500 feet to 600 feet above the ground, he initiated a turn to the south. A gust of wind weathervaned the helicopter around onto an easterly heading. While turning back towards the south, the helicopter settled to the ground, hitting the tail first, rolling over, and coming to rest on the left side, destroying the helicopter. According to the METAR (aviation routine weather report), the winds were from 260 degrees at 30 knots.
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
Flight instructor
- Certificate: flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: instructor: helicopter; instrument: helicopter; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 300 hours in all; 204 in this make and model; 100 in the last 90 days; 70 in the last 30 days; 275 as pilot in command; 80 on instruments
- Last flight review: October 24, 2003
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 95 hours in all; 41 in this make and model; 1 in the last 30 days
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: rear
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 290 hours
- Last inspection: approved inspection programme, November 19, 2003; 40 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,370 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-360-J2A (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: BJC Broomfield CO at 12:45 pm
- Destination: SDL Scottsdale AZ
- Flight plan: VFR
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: night
- Wind: from 260° at 30 knots
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 18,000 ft
- Temperature: 50°F (10°C), dew point 9°F (-13°C)
- Altimeter: 30.20 inHg
- Observation at 12:55 pm from BJC
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 2 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
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.