Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA accident near Milton, Florida, August 24, 2026
On August 24, 2026 at about 7:30 pm local time, a 2006 Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA, registered N979SH, was substantially damaged in an accident during maneuvering (hover) near Milton, Florida (Peter Prince Fld airport). It was an other work-use flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 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 4, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 24, 2026 · about 7:30 pm local time
- Place
- Milton, Florida · Peter Prince Fld · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA NO SERIES, built 2006 · all R22 BETAs on the register
- Registration
- N979SH · registry record · serial 4073
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Other work-use flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Loss of control in flight during maneuvering (hover) defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during maneuvering (hover)
The aircraft
- Last inspection: annual inspection, June 29, 2026; 30 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,370 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
The flight
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 12,000 ft; a few clouds at 4,000 ft
- Temperature: 90°F (32°C), dew point 79°F (26°C)
- Altimeter: 29.97 inHg
- Observation at 2:00 pm from NDZ, 4 miles away
Weather report (METAR): METAR KNDZ 241856Z 00000KT 10SM FEW040 SCT080 BKN120 BKN250 32/26 A2997 RMK AO2 SLP134 SVR T2 SET T03170256 $
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Photographs from the investigation 1 picture from the NTSB's docket, as the NTSB released them
The NTSB's photographs with the NTSB's captions, at screen size. Open a picture to see it full size or to report one that should not be shown.
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
3 documents, released by the NTSB on October 1, 2026. 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 | Passenger Written Statement | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 3 | Investigation Photograph | PDF, 2 pages · our copy | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
About this page
Everything above comes from the NTSB's public accident database: the narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words, and the coded tables behind its report (pilot, aircraft, flight, weather, injuries, sequence of events) are written out in plain English. Pilots' ages, home towns and medical details are left out on purpose. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, the folder of records gathered during the investigation, shown as the NTSB released them (the NTSB redacts some personal details first) and listed under the NTSB's own titles. This site's own text never names pilots, passengers or anyone else involved. A preliminary report describes what is known soon after the event and can change; the final report, with the probable cause, usually follows one to two years later and this page is refreshed when it does. Case number ERA26LA313.