Robinson Helicopter R44 accident near Carlsbad, California, July 18, 2024
On July 18, 2024 at about 11:25 pm local time, a 2019 Robinson Helicopter R44, registered N886JB, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff near Carlsbad, California (Mc Clellan - Palomar airport). It was an instructional flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot’s failure to maintain lateral control of the helicopter while departing with a crosswind, which resulted in a dynamic rollover.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 18, 2024 · about 11:25 pm local time
- Place
- Carlsbad, California · Mc Clellan - Palomar · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Robinson Helicopter R44, built 2019 · all R44s on the register
- Registration
- N886JB · registry record · serial 30058
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot of the helicopter reported that he was attempting to depart from a platform. The helicopter was oriented perpendicular to the prevailing wind and the rotor wash of a nearby helicopter. As the pilot raised collective to climb, the helicopter immediately rolled over to the right and impacted the asphalt. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the tailboom. The pilot reported 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
- Dynamic rollover during takeoff defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Lateral/bank control › Not attained/maintained
- Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Wind › Crosswind › Effect on operation
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 2,501.7 hours in all; 49 in the last 90 days; 15 in the last 30 days; 2,425.2 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: October 11, 2023
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 549 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, July 5, 2024
- Maximum gross weight: 2,200 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-540-F1B5 (piston); 549 hours total
- Operator: Civic Helicopters INC
The flight
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 250° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 70°F (21°C), dew point 63°F (17°C)
- Altimeter: 29.95 inHg
- Observation at 4:53 pm from KCRQ
Weather report (METAR): KCRQ 182353Z AUTO 25008KT 10SM CLR 21/17 A2995 RMK AO2 SLP139 T02110167 10222 20206 58009
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Photographs from the investigation 3 pictures from the NTSB's docket, as the NTSB released them
Photograph 1 – View of the helicopter from the front.
Photograph 2 – View of the helicopter from aft.
Photograph 3 – View of substantial damage to tailboom.The NTSB's photographs with the NTSB's captions, at screen size. Open a picture to see it full size or to report one that should not be shown.
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
2 documents, released by the NTSB on February 27, 2025. 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 Array | PDF, 4 pages · our copy | 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.