Robinson Helicopter Company R44 II accident near Bronson, FL
On December 31, 2021, a Robinson Helicopter Company R44 II (helicopter) was involved in an accident near Bronson, FL. 4 people died. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.
- Date
- December 31, 2021
- Place
- Bronson, FL
- Aircraft
- Robinson Helicopter Company R44 II · Helicopter
- Injuries
- 4 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Position
- 29.419°N, 82.647°W
- NTSB ID
- 20211231104462
Official records · ERA22FA098
- Public docket: reports, statements and exhibits from the investigation
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On December 30, 2021, about 2025 eastern standard time, a Robinson R44 II, N442VB, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Bronson, Florida. The pilot and three passengers were fatally injured. The helicopter was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot was not instrument rated and the helicopter was not certified for flight in instrument conditions. The pilot departed a private residence located in Bronson, Florida, about 2023, destined for his personal residence in Bell, Florida. According to automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast data provided by the Federal Aviation Administration, the helicopter departed about 2.5 miles south of the accident site. The helicopter flew northwest about 1.5 miles, then turned right and flew northeast for 1 mile. During the last .5 miles, the helicopter descended from 700 ft mean sea level (msl), to 350 ft msl, then climbed back up to 625 ft msl. The last data point showed the helicopter descending again at 550 ft msl. A witness at the residence from which the pilot departed stated that the pilot was checking the weather and wanted to depart soon. He stated that the pilot said the fog and visibility was getting “bad” and his initial route home did not look good, and they needed to take another route home. A witness, who was out walking her dog, stated that she heard a helicopter about 2025. She looked for the helicopter but could not see it because it was too dark outside, and she did not see any lights. Seconds later, she heard the helicopter crash and a “lar
Probable cause
A loss of control due to spatial disorientation as a result of the noninstrument-rated pilot’s improper decision to attempt a visual flight rules flight at night into an area of known reduced visibility due to fog.
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Browse: Florida · 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.
