The rotorcraft accidents and incidents listed below occurred between July 1, 2018, and September 30, 2018. All details were obtained through the official websites listed below, where you can learn more details about each event.
July 2018
Robinson R22
Georgetown, TX, USA
07-02-2018 | NTSB CEN18LA251
2 injuries | Training flight
While in the traffic pattern, pilots heard the low Nr horn activate. The CFI assumed the controls, assessed the situation, and entered an autorotation.
Hughes 369
Pacific Ocean (Majuro, Marshall Islands)
07-04-2018 | NTSB WPR18LA188
2 fatalities | Aerial observation flight
Aircraft impacted water after takeoff from a fishing boat. The helicopter was destroyed by the impact and salt-water immersion.
Bell 47G
Arlington, IN, USA
07-06-2018 | NTSB CEN18FA258
1 fatality | Aerial application flight
While conducting an aerial application flight, aircraft was substantially damaged when it impacted a corn field and experienced a postimpact fire.
Bell 206
Bentley, IL, USA
07-06-2018 | NTSB CEN18LA260
1 injury | Aerial application flight
During flight, pilot noticed a low fuel-pressure indication and entered an autorotation. During touchdown, the helicopter pitched over, damaging main and tail rotors.
MD 369
Hot Springs, SD
07-06-2018 | NTSB GAA18CA399
Nonfatal | External load flight
No summary provided.
GMBH EC135P1
Chicago, IL, USA
07-07-2018 | NTSB CEN18FA259
3 injuries | Air medical flight
During a night VMC flight, helicopter impacted terrain during an autorotation following a dual engine failure. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and main and tail rotor blades.
Robinson R44 Raven I
Kanaš, Slovakia
07-07-2018 | NTSB CEN18WA261
1 fatality | Unknown flight type
Aircraft impacted powerlines during takeoff and was destroyed.
Robinson R44
Williamsburg, VA, USA
07-08-2018 | NTSB ERA18FA187
2 fatalities | Unknown flight type
During a day VMC flight, aircraft impacted a building and was destroyed. Pilot and one building occupant were fatally injured.
Robinson R-44
Okawville, IL, USA
07-08-2018 | NTSB GAA18CA430
Nonfatal | Agricultural flight
No summary provided.
Robinson R44
Rulo, NE, USA
07-09-2018 | NTSB GAA18CA408
Nonfatal | Agricultural flight
No summary provided.
Robinson R-44
Domecko, Poland
07-11-2018 | NTSB CEN18WA268
2 fatalities, 1 injury | Personal flight
Aircraft impacted terrain during flight.
Schweizer 269D
Stewartstown, PA, USA
07-14-2018 | NTSB ERA18LA192
2 injuries | Personal flight
At bottom of approach to landing, aircraft began turning clockwise beyond control of available anti-torque pedal input. Helicopter impacted the ground.
Bell 47J
Franklin, IN, USA
07-15-2018 | NTSB CEN18LA269
1 injury | Personal flight
Aircraft destroyed as a result of an in-flight collision with terrain and post-accident fire.
Bell 206
New Castle, IN, USA
07-16-2018 | NTSB GAA18CA424
Nonfatal | Agricultural flight
No summary provided.
Bell 206
Todd Mission, TX, USA
07-20-2018 | NTSB CEN18LA290
2 injuries | Personal flight
Shortly after takeoff, aircraft began turning to the right, beyond control of available anti-torque pedal input, and impacted terrain. The helicopter sustained substantial damage.
Bell UH 1H
Oakdale, CA, USA
07-24-2018 | NTSB WPR18LA206
1 injury | Firefighting flight
In flight, pilot reported an unusual noise. Aircraft was substantially damaged during a precautionary landing.
Eurocopter AS350 B3
Kobuk, AK, USA
07-25-2018 | NTSB ANC18CA056
Nonfatal | Air taxi flight
No summary provided.
Continental Copters, Inc Tomcat MK5A
Le Sueur, MN, USA
07-26-2018 | NTSB CEN18LA300
1 injury | Agricultural flight
Aircraft experienced loss of engine power during cruise flight. The pilot performed an autorotation to a field. The helicopter was substantially damaged.
August 2018
Bell 47G 3B
Custer, SD, USA
8/2-2018 | NTSB CEN18LA306
1 injury | Training flight
Aircraft experienced an engine power anomaly during attempted landing. Attempts to regain power failed, and aircraft landed in a grassy roadside area. The helicopter rolled to the right after landing and sustained substantial damage to the main rotor.
Brantly B-2
Midland, MI, USA
08-03-2018 | NTSB CEN18LA313
2 injuries | Personal flight
Aircraft sustained an in-flight tail rotor blade separation and impacted terrain during an emergency landing. The helicopter was substantially damaged.
Airbus EC 130 T2
Mullen, NE, USA
08-03-2018 | NTSB CEN18TA314
1 injury | Personal flight
Pilot lost control while maneuvering and impacted terrain. The helicopter sustained substantial damage.
Bell 206
Basin City, WA, USA
08-07-2018 | NTSB WPR18LA214
1 injury | Agricultural flight
Aircraft impacted the ground during spray operations. The helicopter was destroyed by a post-crash fire.
Hughes 369
Honolulu, HI, USA
08-08-2018 | NTSB WPR18LA221
4 injuries | Sight-seeing flight
Aircraft experienced significant inflight vibrations. Pilot executed a power-on autorotation to an emergency landing at a field. The helicopter was substantially damaged.
Bell 412EP
Nakanojo, Japan
08-10-2018 | NTSB ANC18WA065
9 fatalities | Type of flight unknown
No summary provided.
Robinson R22
Ocean City, MD, USA
08-10-2018 | NTSB GAA18CA483
Nonfatal | Type of flight unknown
No summary provided.
Robinson R22
Queenstown, South Africa
08-15-2018 | NTSB WPR18WA225
1 fatality | Game-capturing flight
Aircraft impacted powerlines while in flight. Helicopter was substantially damaged.
Schweizer 300
Kindred, ND, USA
08-16-2018 | NTSB CEN18LA334
1 injury | Personal flight
Aircraft was substantially damaged during a forced landing. During cruise flight, pilot reported hearing a loud “snap,” followed by an uncommanded yaw of the helicopter. Pilot entered an autorotation that terminated with aircraft rolling over onto its side. A post-impact fire ensued and much of the helicopter was destroyed by the fire.
Hughes 369
Riverside, CA, USA
08-17-2018 | NTSB WPR18LA226
2 injuries |Training flight
Aircraft was substantially damaged following a hard landing during a practice autorotation. During the hard landing, the tail boom separated and the main rotor blades contacted the ground. The helicopter spun around, ejecting the student pilot.
BK117
Ulladulla, NSW, Australia
08-17-2018 | ATSB AO-2018-057
1 fatality | Firefighting flight
Aircraft impacted terrain and was destroyed.
Bell 206
Battle Mountain, NV, USA
08-18-2018 | NTSB GAA18CA512
3 injuries | Type of flight unknown
No summary provided.
Eurocopter EC130
Hilo, HI, USA
08-19-2018 | NTSB WPR18TA239
1 injury | Maintenance flight
Aircraft experienced an in-flight separation of its left rear sliding door during a maintenance track and balance flight, damaging the main rotor blades. The pilot performed a precautionary landing to a grass field.
Hughes 369
Granger, TX, USA
08-21-2018 | NTSB WPR18FA232
2 fatalities | Training flight
During planned orientation/recurrency training flight, aircraft struck overhead power lines, impacted the ground and was subsequently destroyed by post-impact fire.
Hughes 369
Ridgway, PA, USA
08-22-2018 | NTSB GAA18CA506
Non-fatal | Type of flight unknown
No summary provided.
Robinson R22
Corvallis, OR, USA
08-24-2018 | NTSB GAA18CA508
Non-fatal | Type of flight unknown
No summary provided.
Bell 212
Dardanelle, CA, USA
08-25-2018 | NTSB WPR18LA242
1 injury | External load flight
During public aircraft operations, pilot encountered unspecified problem and subsequently descended into terrain. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
September 2018
MD Helicopter 369
Orchard Lake, MI, USA
09-03-2018 | NTSB CEN18LA365
1 injury | Personal flight
Aircraft impacted terrain during takeoff, sustaining substantial damage.
Guimbal Cabri G2
Santa Ana, CA, USA
09-03-2018 | NTSB WPR18LA252
No injuries | Training flight
Aircraft was damaged during unsuccessful practice power-recovery autorotation, rolling onto its left side.
Robinson R44
Domazlicka, Plzen, Skvnany, Czech Republic
09-05-2018 | NTSB CEN18WA376
4 fatalities | Type of flight unknown
Aircraft impacted terrain while maneuvering at low altitude.
Bell 206
Bartica, Guyana
09-10-2018 | NTSB ERA18WA248
Non-fatal | Type of flight unknown
No summary provided.
Robert L. Cooons RW1 (Exp)
Billings, MT, USA
09-12-2018 | NTSB WPR18FA260
1 fatality | Personal flight
Experimental amateur-built helicopter collided with hangar while maneuvering, fatally injuring the sole occupant.
Robinson R44
Honolulu, HI, USA
09-18-2018 | NTSB WPR18LA269
Nonfatal | Air Tour Flight
Following engine malfunction, pilot performed descent as part of precautionary landing and impacted terrain with forward speed, causing substantial damage to aircraft.
Robinson R44
Buttonville, ON, Canada
09-25-2018 | NTSB CEN18WA390
1 fatality | Type of flight unknown
Aircraft impacted terrain while diverting due to deteriorating weather conditions.
Eurocopter AS350
Ruidoso, NM, USA
09-29-2018 | NTSB GAA18CA571
Nonfatal | Type of flight unknown
No summary provided.
