Robinson R44 accident near Pacific Ocean, Outside the U.S., February 1, 2025
On February 1, 2025 at about 1:00 pm local time, a Robinson R44 (helicopter), registered HCCQY, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff near Pacific Ocean, Outside the U.S.. It was an aerial observation flight under rules the NTSB did not record. 1 person was seriously injured.
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 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- February 1, 2025 · about 1:00 pm local time
- Place
- Pacific Ocean, Ecuador
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- not recorded
- Aircraft
- Robinson R44 · all R44s on the register
- Registration
- HCCQY · no longer on the register · serial 10116
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Aerial observation flight · rules the NTSB did not record
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Preflight or dispatch event during prior to flight
- Miscellaneous/other during takeoff defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during takeoff
The aircraft
- Maximum gross weight: 2,500 lb
- Landing gear: fixed
The flight
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Temperature: 0°F (-18°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The NTSB has not released the docket for this case yet. The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), is usually released when the investigation is nearly complete, and the list here is refreshed when it appears. Check at the NTSB.
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.