Robinson Helicopter Company R44 II accident near East Wenatchee, Washington, June 12, 2012
On June 12, 2012 at about 10:20 pm local time, a Robinson Helicopter Company R44 II, registered N282MC, was substantially damaged in an accident during maneuvering (low-alt flying) near East Wenatchee, Washington. It was an other work-use flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was killed and 1 person was seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot’s failure to adequately monitor the environment and maintain clearance from the power lines while maneuvering at low altitude.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 12, 2012 · about 10:20 pm local time
- Place
- East Wenatchee, Washington · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed and 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Robinson Helicopter Company R44 II
- Registration
- N282MC · no longer on the register · serial 10694
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Other work-use flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot was maneuvering the helicopter at low altitude to conduct a cherry-drying operation. A witness in the local area reported that the helicopter was flying near power lines when it made a steep left turn. The main rotor subsequently impacted the power lines, and the helicopter descended into a tree. The pilot sustained serious injuries and did not recall the accident sequence. He did recall that the helicopter had no mechanical issues before liftoff or during transition to forward flight. A postaccident examination of the airframe and engine revealed no evidence of mechanical malfunctions or failures 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
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during maneuvering (low-alt flying)
- Low altitude operation/event during maneuvering (low-alt flying) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Psychological › Attention/monitoring › Monitoring environment › Pilot
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Altitude › Not attained/maintained
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › Object/animal/substance › Wire › Effect on equipment
- cause Personnel issues › Action/decision › Action › Incorrect action performance › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 374 in this make and model
- Medical certificate: Class 2
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: serious injuries
Passenger
- Seat: left
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1,261 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, February 11, 2012
- Maximum gross weight: 2,500 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming IO-540-AE1A5 (piston); 0 hours total
- Operator: Dragonfly Aviation, LLC
The flight
- Departed from: Wenatchee WA at 10:00 pm
- Destination: Wenatchee WA
- Flight plan: none
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 7,000 ft; a few clouds at 5,500 ft
- Temperature: 68°F (20°C), dew point 52°F (11°C)
- Altimeter: 29.89 inHg
- Observation at 9:55 pm from EAT, 2 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
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.