Robinson R44 accident near Yorke Island, Outside the U.S., March 31, 2026
On March 31, 2026 at about 4:36 am local time, a Robinson R44 (helicopter), registered VHHYR, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Yorke Island, Outside the U.S. (Yorke Island Airport). It was flown under non-U.S. private rules. 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
- March 31, 2026 · about 4:36 am local time
- Place
- Yorke Island, Australia · Yorke Island Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- not recorded
- Aircraft
- Robinson R44 II · all R44s on the register
- Registration
- VHHYR · no longer on the register
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Flight · non-U.S. private rules
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Flight control sys malf/fail during initial climb defining event
The aircraft
- Landing gear: fixed
- Not recorded
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 130° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: a few clouds at 1,500 ft
- Temperature: 81°F (27°C), dew point 77°F (25°C)
- Observation at 2:30 am from YHID, 83 miles away
Weather report (METAR): METAR YHID 311230Z AUTO 13007KT 9999 // FEW015 27/25 Q1011=
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.