Robinson Helicopter Company R44 II accident near North Las Vegas, Nevada, March 10, 2025
On March 10, 2025 at about 4:04 am local time, a Robinson Helicopter Company R44 II, registered N44KY, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff near North Las Vegas, Nevada. It was an other work-use flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
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
- March 10, 2025 · about 4:04 am local time
- Place
- North Las Vegas, Nevada · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Robinson Helicopter Company R44 II
- Registration
- N44KY · registry record · serial 11307
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Other work-use flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative preliminary · quoted from the NTSB record
On March 9, 2025, about 2104 Pacific daylight time, a Robinson R44 II, N44KY, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident in North Las Vegas, Nevada. The pilot was not injured, the two passengers sustained minor injuries. The helicopter was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 air tour flight. The operator was performing tours of the Las Vegas Strip from its home base of North Las Vegas Airport (VGT) in accordance a 91.147 letter of authorization from the FAA (passenger-carrying flights for compensation or hire). The pilot had performed 6 tours in the accident helicopter since coming on duty at 1830, the accident flight was his seventh. With the passengers loaded, and the weight and performance calculations complete, the pilot closed his door and readied the helicopter for departure. He maneuvered the helicopter into a hover and pushed the cyclic control forward. The helicopter began to move forward, and as it reached about 25 knots, the pilot’s door opened. The pilot described the opening as abrupt and accompanied by a strong blast of wind that blew off his hat, headset, and headlamp. The pilot reacted by releasing the collective control from his left hand and reaching across his body to close the door. He stated that the movement resulted in him applying a right cyclic input with his right hand as he reached across. This movement, accompanied with him releasing the grip on the collective control, resulted in the helicopter sinking. The right skid then contacted the ground, the helicopter entered a dynamic rollover, and the main rotor blades struck the ground. The helicopter spun around and came to rest on its right side. The pilot shutoff the fuel control, released his seatbelt, and helped the passengers egress. Postaccident examination of the helicopter revealed that the fuselage was substantially damaged.
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
- Miscellaneous/other during takeoff defining event
The aircraft
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: retractable
- Operator: West Air Helicopters
Weather at the time
- Light: night
- Wind: from 345° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 21°F (-6°C), dew point 17°F (-8°C)
- Altimeter: 30.12 inHg
- Observation at 9:04 pm from VGT
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 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.