Robinson Helicopter Company R44 II accident near Calhoun, Georgia, April 12, 2022
On April 12, 2022 at about 9:05 pm local time, a 2013 Robinson Helicopter Company R44 II, registered N426DB, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff near Calhoun, Georgia. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries; 3 others were unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from wires during takeoff.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- April 12, 2022 · about 9:05 pm local time
- Place
- Calhoun, Georgia · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries; 3 others were unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Robinson Helicopter Company R44 II, built 2013
- Registration
- N426DB · no longer on the register · serial 13514
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
According to the pilot, he repositioned the helicopter within the landing zone after landing to use its full length for the planned departure. As he applied takeoff power, the pilot inadvertently climbed the helicopter into wires above the main rotor blades. The pilot subsequently reduced power and attempted a run-on landing to an adjacent road, but the main rotor struck a building. The helicopter rolled on its side and was substantially damaged. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.
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 during takeoff/land during takeoff defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › (general) › Not attained/maintained
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Planning/preparation › (general) › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; single-engine sea; instrument: airplane; instrument: helicopter; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 9,000 hours in all; 301 in this make and model
- Medical certificate: Class 2
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1,295.3 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, September 23, 2021
- Maximum gross weight: 2,500 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming IO540-AE1A5 (piston); 1,295 hours total
The flight
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 220° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 8,500 ft
- Temperature: 82°F (28°C), dew point 50°F (10°C)
- Altimeter: 30.04 inHg
- Observation at 4:53 pm from KRMG, 14 miles away
Weather report (METAR): KRMG 122053Z AUTO 22007KT 10SM SCT085 28/10 A3004 RMK AO2 SLP165 T02830100 56020
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 3 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
4 documents, released by the NTSB on April 20, 2023. 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 Memo for Record | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 2 | Pilot's Statement | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 3 | 100 Hour Inspection | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 4 | Photo Array | PDF, 3 pages | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
Other NTSB records under N426DB the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
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.