Robinson Helicopter R44 accident near Daytona Beach, Florida, October 14, 2022
On October 14, 2022 at about 5:11 pm local time, a 2016 Robinson Helicopter R44, registered N306MB, was substantially damaged in an accident during landing (flare/touchdown) near Daytona Beach, Florida (Daytona Beach Intl airport). It was a ferry flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot’s misjudged landing point which resulted in a loss of control and collision with terrain.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- October 14, 2022 · about 5:11 pm local time
- Place
- Daytona Beach, Florida · Daytona Beach Intl · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Robinson Helicopter R44, built 2016 · all R44s on the register
- Registration
- N306MB · registry record · serial 2439
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Ferry flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that he was attempting to land on a mobile helipad. During the landing the helicopter landed “off center” and rolled over onto its side. The helicopter collided with the terrain and sustained substantial damage. The pilot did not report any mechanical anomalies that would preclude normal operation. The helicopter was examined by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector after the accident. The examination confirmed that the airframe and main rotor blades were substantially damaged. No flight control anomalies were discovered 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
- Roll over during landing (flare/touchdown) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Personnel issues › Action/decision › Info processing/decision › Identification/recognition › Pilot
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Descent/approach/glide path › Not attained/maintained
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot, military
- Ratings: instrument: helicopter; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 297 hours in all; 19 in this make and model; 33 in the last 90 days; 4 in the last 30 days; 148 as pilot in command; 0 on instruments
- Last flight review: August 31, 2022
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Last inspection: condition inspection, September 17, 2022
- Maximum gross weight: 2,400 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-540-F1B5 (piston); 2,082 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: Daytona Beach FL at 4:50 pm
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 040° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: a few clouds at 4,000 ft
- Temperature: 81°F (27°C), dew point 66°F (19°C)
- Altimeter: 29.95 inHg
- Observation at 4:53 pm from KDAB, 1 miles away
Weather report (METAR): KDAB 142053Z 04010KT 10SM FEW040 FEW100 27/19 A2995 RMK AO2 SLP142 T02720189 56005
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
3 documents, released by the NTSB on June 7, 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 | PDF, 11 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Mfr FAA Correspondence | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 3 | Investigative Photos | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
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.