Robinson R66 accident near Girardot, CO, July 12, 2011
On July 12, 2011 at about 8:41 pm local time, a Robinson R66 (helicopter), registered N810AG, was substantially damaged in an accident during enroute (cruise) near Girardot (Girardot/Santiago Villa Arpt airport). It was a flight of an unrecorded kind under non-U.S. private rules. 2 people were killed. 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
- July 12, 2011 · about 8:41 pm local time
- Place
- Girardot, Colombia · Girardot/Santiago Villa Arpt · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Robinson R66 · all R66s on the register
- Registration
- N810AG · no longer on the register · serial 0021
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Flight of an unrecorded kind · non-U.S. private rules
The NTSB's narrative preliminary · quoted from the NTSB record
On July 12, 2011, about 2041 UTC, or 1541 local, a Robinson Helicopter Company R66, N810AG, registered to Aircraft Guaranty Corporation Trustee, operated by a private individual, collided with terrain near Girardot, Colombia. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and a visual flight rules (VFR) flight plan was filed for the non-U.S. non-commercial flight from Girardot/Santiago Vila Airport (SKGI), Girardot, Colombia. The helicopter sustained substantial damage, and the certificated commercial pilot and one passenger were fatally injured. The flight originated from SKGI about 4 minutes earlier. According to preliminary air traffic control information, a VFR flight plan was filed for an intended 45 minute flight south of the destination airport. After takeoff the flight proceeded south of SKGI flying about 250 feet above ground level. A witness observed the helicopter flying in a northeasterly direction, then heard a crack sound, followed by seeing something separate from the helicopter. The witness noted the helicopter spinning about the vertical axis while descending, followed by impact. The helicopter came to rest on its left side; the tailcone and tail rotor were found separated, and were located about 46 meters from the main wreckage. The accident site was located about 2.5 nautical miles and 230 degrees from the approach end of runway 02 at SKGI. This investigation is under the jurisdiction of the Government of Colombia. Any further information can be obtained from: Unidad Administrativa Especial de Aeronautica Civil Aeropuerto Internacional El Dorado Bogota, Colombia Telephone: 571.425.1000 This report is for informational purposes only, and contains information released by or obtained for the Government of Colombia.
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
- Miscellaneous/other during enroute (cruise) defining event
- Part(s) separation from AC during enroute (cruise)
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 5,000 hours in all
- Last flight review: May 27, 2011
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: fatal
Crew member
- Last flight review: May 9, 2011
- Medical certificate: None
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 106 hours
- Maximum gross weight: 2,700 lb
- Seats: 5
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Rolls-Royce Corporation 250-C300/A1 (turboshaft); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: SKGI Girardot at 8:37 pm
- Destination: SKGI Girardot
- Flight plan: VFR
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 310° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 5,000 ft
- Temperature: 95°F (35°C), dew point 66°F (19°C)
- Altimeter: 29.75 inHg
- Observation at 8:00 pm from SKGI, 3 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
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.