Robinson R44 accident near Netanya, Israel, Il, November 24, 2009
On November 24, 2009 at about 12:22 pm local time, a Robinson R44 (helicopter), registered N4XBDM, was substantially damaged in an accident during enroute (cruise) near Netanya, Israel. It was a flight of an unrecorded kind under non-U.S. private rules. 4 people were killed.
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The accident is under the jurisdiction of, and is being investigated, by the State of Israel, Ministry of Transport, Aviation Incidents and Accidents Investigation (AIAI).
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- November 24, 2009 · about 12:22 pm local time
- Place
- Netanya, Israel, Israel · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 4 people were killed.
- Weather
- not recorded
- Aircraft
- Robinson R44 · all R44s on the register
- Registration
- N4XBDM · no longer on the register · serial 0519
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Flight of an unrecorded kind · non-U.S. private rules
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
On November 24, 2009, about 1222 universal coordinated time (UTC), a Robinson R44, 4X-BDM, crashed into the water near the shoreline at Netany Beach, Israel. TAMIR Airlines ltd was operating the helicopter under the provisions of the Israel Civil Aviation Regulations. The two pilots and two passengers were killed; the helicopter sustained substantial damage. The cross-country flight was en route to Tel Aviv, Israel. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. Preliminary information received from the Ministry of Transport, State of Israel, indicated that the helicopter was flying parallel to the shoreline, and about 300 meters offshore. Witnesses noted that the helicopter then made a right bank into the water. The accident is under the jurisdiction of, and is being investigated, by the State of Israel, Ministry of Transport, Aviation Incidents and Accidents Investigation (AIAI). Additional information can be obtained from the AIAI at: PO Box 8 Ben Gurion International Airport Israel, 70100 Telephone: 972-977-4600
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
- Unknown or undetermined during enroute (cruise) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- cause Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Other authority investigated
The aircraft
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-540 (piston); 0 hours total
- Operator: Tamir Airlines Ltd
The flight
- Departed from: Netanya
- Destination: Tel Aviv
- Flight plan: not recorded
Weather at the time
- Temperature: 0°F (-18°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 2 | |||
| Passengers | 2 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket 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.