Robinson R44 accident near Colorado City, TX
On December 10, 2020, a Robinson R44 (helicopter) was involved in an accident near Colorado City, TX. 2 people died. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.
- Date
- December 10, 2020
- Place
- Colorado City, TX
- Aircraft
- Robinson R44 · Helicopter
- Injuries
- 2 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Position
- 32.316°N, 100.947°W
- NTSB ID
- 20201210102399
Official records · CEN21LA084
- Public docket: reports, statements and exhibits from the investigation
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHTOn December 10, 2020, about 0930 central standard time, a Robinson R44 helicopter, N7085Z, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Colorado City, Texas. The pilot and passenger sustained fatal injuries. The personal flight was conducted under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. According to a family member, the intent of the flight was to herd cattle on a ranch. The flight originated from the pilot’s home helicopter pad about 0900. There were no reported radio or distress calls from the pilot, and there were no witnesses. Visual flight rules conditions prevailed in the area around the time of the accident. There were no witnesses to the accident, which was reported to local authorities about 1400. PERSONNEL INFORMATIONThe pilot’s logbooks were not available for review. Estimates of his flight time were provided by a family member. AIRCRAFT INFORMATIONThe helicopter’s maintenance history could not be determined, as no logbooks were available for review. AIRPORT INFORMATIONThe helicopter’s maintenance history could not be determined, as no logbooks were available for review. WRECKAGE AND IMPACT INFORMATIONThe wreckage was located on relatively flat rural terrain, and the debris field was about 400 yards long. The first pieces of wreckage were identified as fragments of the left landing skid and forward skid strut. About 30 yards forward of the strut, fragments of a main rotor blade skin were found. The main wreckage, consisting of the cabin, main rotor assembly, and tail boom and rotor assembly were found about 400 y
Probable cause
The pilot’s loss of control and exceedance of performance and/or structural limitations during low-altitude operations, which resulted in an inflight breakup.. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s impairment from the effects of tetrahydrocannabinol.
More accidents in TX
- Kubicek BB85, Jul 30, 2016
- Robertson C-414, Jul 29, 1982
- Textron Aviation B-300, Jun 30, 2019
- Beech B100, Nov 26, 1983
- Consolidated-Vultee PBY-6A, Oct 13, 1984
Browse: Texas · Robinson aircraft
Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
