Robinson R44 accident near Broome Aerodrome, Au, July 4, 2020
On July 4, 2020 at about 2:36 pm local time, a Robinson R44 (helicopter), registered VHNBY, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff near Broome Aerodrome (Broome International Airport). It was flown under rules the NTSB did not record. 2 people were killed and 2 people were seriously injured. The weather was conditions the NTSB did not record.
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
- July 4, 2020 · about 2:36 pm local time
- Place
- Broome Aerodrome, Australia · Broome International Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were killed and 2 people were seriously injured.
- Weather
- conditions the NTSB did not record
- Aircraft
- Robinson R44 · all R44s on the register
- Registration
- VHNBY · no longer on the register · serial 2544
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Flight · rules the NTSB did not record
The NTSB's narrative preliminary · quoted from the NTSB record
The government of Australia has notified the NTSB of an accident involving a ROBINSON R44 helicopter that occurred on July 04, 2020. The NTSB has appointed a U.S. Accredited Representative to assist the government of Australia's investigation under the provisions of ICAO Annex 13.All investigative information will be released by the government of Australia.
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
- Aircraft structural failure during takeoff defining event
Pilot
- Injury: fatal
Passenger
- Injury: fatal
Passenger
- Injury: serious injuries
Passenger
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Maximum gross weight: 2,401 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-540-F1B5 (piston); 0 hours total
- Not recorded
Weather at the time
- Temperature: 0°F (-18°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 | 2 |
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.