Robinson R22 Safety Record

Complete NTSB accident and incident history. 520 events recorded from 1982 to 2025.

520

All Events

278

Incidents

72

Minor

47

Serious

112

Fatal (157 fatalities)

Date Location Reg# Severity Damage Probable Cause
Jan 28, 2005 Chandler, AZ N7535Z Incident substantial the certified flight instructor's inadequate use of the antitorque control pedals while adding throttle, which led to a loss of directional control.
Jan 18, 2005 Gulf Port, MS N26498 Incident substantial
The student pilot's inadequate flare and his failure to maintain rotor rpm which resulted in a hard landing. Also causal was the instructor's inadequ…

The student pilot's inadequate flare and his failure to maintain rotor rpm which resulted in a hard landing. Also causal was the instructor's inadequate supervision of the flight.

Jan 16, 2005 Rialto, CA N1122R Incident substantial
the student pilot's improper use of the cyclic control during a practice autorotation, and the inadequate supervision by the certified flight instruct…

the student pilot's improper use of the cyclic control during a practice autorotation, and the inadequate supervision by the certified flight instructor.

Dec 19, 2004 Park City, UT N993RW Incident substantial
the student pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control, and the instructor's inadequate supervision by her failure to assure adequate rotor rpm was …

the student pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control, and the instructor's inadequate supervision by her failure to assure adequate rotor rpm was maintained.

Dec 15, 2004 Provo, UT N333UH Minor substantial
the flight instructor's failure to maintain clearance from the water. Contributing to the accident was the flight instructor's inability to detect a d…

the flight instructor's failure to maintain clearance from the water. Contributing to the accident was the flight instructor's inability to detect a descent because of the obscuration between the water and the horizon due to the gray sky

Dec 11, 2004 Los Angeles, CA N145RJ Incident substantial The activation of the low main rotor rpm warning system for undetermined reasons.
Nov 27, 2004 Arlington, WA N4029Q Fatal (2) destroyed
The divergence of the main rotor from its normal plane of rotation for an undetermined reason, resulting in rotor contact with the aircraft's left win…

The divergence of the main rotor from its normal plane of rotation for an undetermined reason, resulting in rotor contact with the aircraft's left windscreen. The failure of the door pins to be installed was a factor.

Nov 27, 2004 Taumaranui, NZ ZK-HWP Serious (1) destroyed Investigation pending
Nov 10, 2004 Madrid, SP EC-GAU Incident substantial Investigation pending
Nov 08, 2004 Eagle Pass, TX N995JW Incident substantial The pilot's failure to maintain control of the helicopter. A contributing factor was the unsuitable terrain for landing.
Sep 18, 2004 Kona, HI N22XM Incident substantial
the CFI's failure to maintain an adequate airspeed and main rotor rpm, and his improper flare, which resulted in a hard landing. A factor in the acci…

the CFI's failure to maintain an adequate airspeed and main rotor rpm, and his improper flare, which resulted in a hard landing. A factor in the accident was the CFI's diverted attention.

Sep 16, 2004 Spanish Fork, UT N7533E Minor substantial
the pilot's failure to maintain adequate rotor rpm during a practice autorotation, and the flight instructor's improper flare. A contributing factor w…

the pilot's failure to maintain adequate rotor rpm during a practice autorotation, and the flight instructor's improper flare. A contributing factor was the instructor's inadequate supervision of the pilot.

Sep 14, 2004 Spanish Fork, UT N777UH Minor substantial
the instructor's premature flare, resulting in a hard landing, and his failure to align the helicopter with the direction of travel, resulting in a ro…

the instructor's premature flare, resulting in a hard landing, and his failure to align the helicopter with the direction of travel, resulting in a rollover.Contributing factors were the low rotor RPM and inadequate airspeed. The reason for the loss of engine power was not determined.

Sep 05, 2004 North Las Vegas, NV N994RW Serious (1) substantial The certified flight instructor's misjudged flare and delayed recovery from the practice autorotation.
Sep 04, 2004 St. Thomas, USA N176FM Incident substantial
The failure of the pilot-in-command to comply with performance data related to the recommended takeoff profile and his failure to perform remedial act…

The failure of the pilot-in-command to comply with performance data related to the recommended takeoff profile and his failure to perform remedial action following reduced tailrotor effectiveness, resulting in subsequent initiation of an autorotation and ditching.

Aug 24, 2004 Logan, UT N7530D Incident substantial
the instructor's failure to maintain adequate rotor speed during the landing flare, resulting in a hard landing. Contributing factors include the stud…

the instructor's failure to maintain adequate rotor speed during the landing flare, resulting in a hard landing. Contributing factors include the student's delay in relinquishing the controls and the instructor's improper supervision.

Aug 13, 2004 McIvor Lake, BC, CA C-FHGH Fatal (1) destroyed Investigation pending
Aug 11, 2004 Sazava, EZ OK-YIT Fatal (1) destroyed Investigation pending
Aug 02, 2004 Miami, FL N2566W Fatal (1) destroyed
The failure of company maintenance personnel to secure the push/pull tube to the left lug of the non-rotating portion of the swashplate assembly follo…

The failure of company maintenance personnel to secure the push/pull tube to the left lug of the non-rotating portion of the swashplate assembly following maintenance, and the inability of the pilot to control the helicopter resulting in the in-flight collision with terrain.

Jul 28, 2004 Mount Clemens, MI N103MH Fatal (1) destroyed A loss of control in flight for undetermined reasons.
Jul 05, 2004 Hillsboro, OR N856HA Minor substantial
The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control resulting in an uncontrolled descent and subsequent roll over. Low altitude flight and the pilot's e…

The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control resulting in an uncontrolled descent and subsequent roll over. Low altitude flight and the pilot's encounter with settling with power were contributing factors.

May 30, 2004 Queensland, AS VH-MIB Fatal (1) destroyed Investigation pending
May 12, 2004 Winsted, MN N2301F Minor substantial The failure of the main rotor drive belts for an undetermined reason, and the pilot's misjudged flare during the autorotation.
May 08, 2004 Genesee Depot, WI N215WW Incident substantial The pilot's failure to maintain proper rotor RPM during the hover landing and his inadequate remedial action, which resulted in the hard landing.
Apr 27, 2004 Squaw Valley, CA N7521P Incident substantial
the pilot's failure to maintain a proper descent rate during the landing approach, which resulted in a hard landing and roll over. Also causal was th…

the pilot's failure to maintain a proper descent rate during the landing approach, which resulted in a hard landing and roll over. Also causal was the pilot's inadequate compensation for tailwind conditions. A factor in the accident was the high density altitude.

Disclaimer: This data is sourced from the NTSB Aviation Accident Database. NTSB events reflect reported accidents and incidents and do not necessarily indicate a defect in the aircraft type. Many events involve pilot error, weather conditions, maintenance issues, or other factors unrelated to the aircraft design. This information is provided for research purposes only — consult official NTSB reports for complete details.
← Robinson R22 For Sale All Robinson Models
Data source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database · About our data
View 150 Robinson R22 for sale ↓