Robinson R44 accident near Yoro, Hn, October 1, 2008
On October 1, 2008 at about 6:20 pm local time, a Robinson R44 (helicopter), registered HRAUC, was involved in an accident during takeoff near Yoro. It was flown under non-U.S. commercial rules. 1 person was seriously injured and 3 people had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The NTSB has not yet published a probable cause for this accident. Investigations usually take one to two years; this page updates when the final report is released.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- October 1, 2008 · about 6:20 pm local time
- Place
- Yoro, Honduras · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured and 3 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Robinson R44 · all R44s on the register
- Registration
- HRAUC · no longer on the register · serial 11574
- Damage
- Not recorded
- Flight
- Flight · non-U.S. commercial rules
The NTSB's narrative preliminary · quoted from the NTSB record
On October 1, 2008, about 1220 central standard time, a Robinson R44, Honduran registration HR-AUC, was substantially damaged during a takeoff attempt near Yoro, Honduras. The Honduran certificated private pilot was seriously injured and three passengers incurred minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight, intended for La Mesa International Airport (MHLM), near San Pedro Sula, Honduras. The flight was operating under Honduran flight regulations. According to Honduran authorities, the helicopter was taking off from a confined mountainous area, at an altitude of 2,950 feet. About 50 feet above the ground, the main rotor blades brushed against a pine tree, and the helicopter experienced a loss of rotor rpm. The helicopter then descended, impacted uneven terrain on the side of the mountain, and rolled over. The accident investigation is under the jurisdiction of the Republic of Honduras. Further information may be obtained from: Republica de Honduras Secretaria de Obras Publicas, Transporte, y Vivienda Direccion General de Aeronautica Civil Apartado Postal 30145 Tegucigalpa, M.D.C., Honduras Tel: (504) 233-3683 This report is for informational purposes only, and only contains information released by the Republic of Honduras.
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 takeoff
Pilot
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Maximum gross weight: 2,500 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
The flight
- Departed from: None Yoro at 6:20 pm
- Destination: MHLM San Pedro Sula
- Flight plan: not recorded
Weather at the time
- Temperature: 0°F (-18°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 3 |
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.