Robinson Helicopter R44 Clipper 1 accident near Deadhorse, Alaska, August 26, 2022
On August 26, 2022 at about 7:30 pm local time, a 2001 Robinson Helicopter R44 Clipper 1, registered N240RM, was substantially damaged in an accident during approach near Deadhorse, Alaska. It was an other work-use flight under charter and air-taxi rules (Part 135). No one was hurt; 3 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's failure to maintain helicopter control during a descent, which resulted in a collision with terrain.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 26, 2022 · about 7:30 pm local time
- Place
- Deadhorse, Alaska · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 3 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Robinson Helicopter R44 Clipper 1, built 2001 · all R44 Clipper 1s on the register
- Registration
- N240RM · registry record · serial 1090
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Other work-use flight · charter and air-taxi rules (Part 135)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The helicopter pilot reported that, he set-up for an approach over hilly terrain with a strong tailwind. Descending on a left base the helicopter began to drift due to the wind, so the pilot added collective pitch to control the descent rate however, the helicopter rapidly descended despite the control input. The pilot initiated a run-on landing to the unimproved featureless tundra that appeared level. Upon ground contact the helicopter dynamically rolled over on its right side. The fuselage was substantially damaged. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the helicopter 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
- Roll over during landing
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during approach defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Descent/approach/glide path › Not attained/maintained
Pilot
- Certificate: flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: instructor: helicopter; instructor: instrument helicopter; instrument: helicopter; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 3,000 hours in all; 620 in this make and model; 116 in the last 90 days; 42.7 in the last 30 days; 2,850 as pilot in command; 2,700 on instruments
- Last flight review: June 16, 2022
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: no injuries
Passenger
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: no injuries
Passenger
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, August 15, 2022
- Maximum gross weight: 2,400 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-540-F1B5 (piston); 5,122 hours total
- Operator: Pollux Aviation LTD
The flight
- Departed from: AA14 Toolik Field Station AK at 4:30 pm
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 180° at 20 knots, gusting 30
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: a few clouds
- Temperature: 55°F (13°C), dew point 50°F (10°C)
- Altimeter: 29.92 inHg
- Observation at 11:53 am from PASC, 10 miles away
Weather report (METAR): PASC 261953Z 19005KT 10SM BKN070 16/08 A2945 RMK AO2 SLP973 T01610083 $
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 2 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
2 documents, released by the NTSB on December 9, 2022. 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/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 9 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Photo | PDF, 1 page | 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.