Robinson Helicopter R44 accident near El Centro, California, June 28, 2016
On June 28, 2016 at about 3:10 am local time, a 1995 Robinson Helicopter R44, registered N8325X, was substantially damaged in an accident during enroute (cruise) near El Centro, California. It was an aerial application (crop spraying) flight under agricultural flying rules (Part 137). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A loss of main rotor rpm and airframe vibration for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information, which resulted in a forced landing to sloping terrain and 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
- June 28, 2016 · about 3:10 am local time
- Place
- El Centro, California · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Robinson Helicopter R44 UNDESIGNAT, built 1995 · all R44s on the register
- Registration
- N8325X · no longer on the register · serial 0207
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Aerial application (crop spraying) flight · agricultural flying rules (Part 137)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The helicopter pilot was performing an agricultural flight when he felt an airframe vibration, which was followed by the main rotor low rpm warning and a loss of rotor rpm. He reduced collective and the vibration and warning horn stopped. As he began to maneuver for a landing, he increased the collective and leveled the skids and again felt an airframe vibration and noted a loss of rotor rpm. During the landing on sloping terrain, the right front skid toe dug into the soft dirt and the helicopter came to rest on its side, resulting in substantial damage. Examination of the helicopter revealed no mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation, and the reason for the vibration and loss of rotor rpm could not be determined based on the available information.
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 landing
- Miscellaneous/other during enroute (cruise) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: instrument: helicopter; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 390 hours in all; 0 in this make and model
- Last flight review: December 28, 2015
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1,208.7 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, May 26, 2016
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-540-F1B5 (piston); 1,209 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: PVT El Centro CA at 3:00 am
- Destination: PVT El Centro CA
Weather at the time
- Light: night
- Wind: from 170° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: a few clouds at 11,000 ft
- Temperature: 109°F (43°C), dew point 54°F (12°C)
- Altimeter: 29.68 inHg
- Observation at 2:53 am from KIPL, 8 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
3 documents, released by the NTSB on February 2, 2021. 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's Statement | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 2 | FAA Record of Interview | PDF, 4 pages | View Download |
| 3 | Photos (FAA) | 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.
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.