Robinson R44 accident near Strykersville, New York, December 18, 2018
On December 18, 2018 at about 8:30 pm local time, a 2004 Robinson R44 (helicopter), registered N7535S, was substantially damaged in an accident during standing (engine(s) operating) near Strykersville, New York (King Airfield Private). 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
The structural failure of the home-built landing platform during landing, which resulted in the helicopter rolling over.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- December 18, 2018 · about 8:30 pm local time
- Place
- Strykersville, New York · King Airfield Private · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Robinson R44 II, built 2004 · all R44s on the register
- Registration
- N7535S · no longer on the register · serial 10496
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that, during landing on a home-built landing platform, the helicopter landed normally and was stable. He reduced engine power and began to wait the prescribed engine cool-down period before shutdown. About 1 minute before the engine completely shut down, the platform collapsed, and the helicopter rolled aft and to the right and then came to rest on its right side. Postaccident examination of the platform revealed that it had a structural failure and had collapsed. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the tailboom. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions 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
- Miscellaneous/other during standing (engine(s) operating) defining event
- Roll over during after landing
The NTSB's findings
- cause Environmental issues › Physical environment › Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface › (general) › Not specified
- cause Environmental issues › Operating environment › Airport facilities/design › Ground support/equipment › Effect on operation
Pilot
- Certificate: flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: instructor: helicopter; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 3,000 hours in all; 2,300 in this make and model; 56 in the last 90 days; 28 in the last 30 days; 2,920 as pilot in command; 288 on instruments
- Last flight review: October 25, 2018
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: unk
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1,824.4 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, May 6, 2018
- Maximum gross weight: 2,500 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming IO-540-AE1A5 (piston); 1,824 hours total
- Operator: Moog Inc.
The flight
- Departed from: Strykersville NY at 8:15 pm
- Destination: Strykersville NY
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 260° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: a few clouds at 2,900 ft
- Temperature: 28°F (-2°C), dew point 18°F (-8°C)
- Altimeter: 30.19 inHg
- Observation at 8:54 pm from KBUF, 16 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
2 documents, released by the NTSB on March 12, 2019. 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, 9 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Accident 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.
Other NTSB records under N7535S 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.