Robinson R44 accident near Sarasota, Florida, October 27, 2022
On October 27, 2022 at about 7:00 pm local time, a 2018 Robinson R44 (helicopter), registered N442H, was substantially damaged in an accident during enroute near Sarasota, Florida. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
An in-flight collision with a bird, which resulted in damage to a tail rotor blade, a subsequent vibration, and the pilot’s decision to conduct a precautionary landing to unsuitable terrain.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- October 27, 2022 · about 7:00 pm local time
- Place
- Sarasota, Florida · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Robinson R44, built 2018 · all R44s on the register
- Registration
- N442H · no longer on the register · serial 14185
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
While en route, the pilot saw birds in his flight path and banked the helicopter to the right to avoid striking one, after which he felt a vibration. The vibration continued, and the pilot performed a precautionary landing to a marshy area, where the helicopter rolled over, resulting in substantial damage to the fuselage. Examination of the helicopter revealed a dent in one of the tail rotor blades; no evidence of any other mechanical anomalies were noted that would have precluded normal operation. The tail rotor came to rest in marsh water and the blade did not display evidence of organic material consistent with a bird strike; however, given that the pilot identified and was maneuvering to avoid birds just before the vibration occurred, it is likely that the tail rotor was damaged during impact with a bird, resulting in the subsequent vibration.
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
- Birdstrike during enroute defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › Object/animal/substance › Animal(s)/bird(s) › Ability to respond/compensate
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › Object/animal/substance › Animal(s)/bird(s) › Effect on equipment
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Last flight review: December 2, 2021
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 626 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, June 1, 2022; 66 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,500 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming IO-540 (piston); 626 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: GIF Winter Haven FL at 6:20 pm
- Destination: X36 Englewood FL
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 200° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 9,500 ft
- Temperature: 81°F (27°C), dew point 72°F (22°C)
- Altimeter: 29.91 inHg
- Observation at 7:53 pm from SRQ, 21 miles away
Weather report (METAR): KSRQ 271953Z 20011KT 10SM BKN095 27/22 A2991 RMK AO2 SLP129 T02670217
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
4 documents, released by the NTSB on November 29, 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, 10 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Memorandum for Record - Pilot | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 3 | Memorandum for Record - FAA Inspector | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 4 | Investigative Photographs | PDF, 4 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.