On December 29, 2014, a ROBINSON HELICOPTER COMPANY R44 II was involved in an aviation accident near Horseshoe Bay, TX. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The helicopter's contact with the landing pad during a rejected landing. This summary draws on records from NTSB; 12 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.
A helicopter slid forward and left upon contacting a landing cart. The pilot aborted, but the tail boom stinger hit the cart, causing the helicopter to nose over and sustain substantial damage.
Incident Overview
The pilot of a helicopter attempted a landing on a landing cart. As the helicopter's skids made contact with the cart, the aircraft began to slide forward and to the left. In response, the pilot aborted the landing and brought the helicopter back to a hover. During this maneuver, the tail boom stinger contacted the landing cart, causing the helicopter to nose over. The helicopter then touched down and rolled onto its side.
Damage
The accident resulted in substantial damage to the tail boom, fuselage, and rotor system.
Pilot Report
The pilot reported experiencing variable wind conditions and a developing tailwind during the landing attempt.
Contributing factors
Pitch control — Not attained/maintained
Related events
Same aircraft family
13 Sep 2026 — ROBINSON HELICOPTER COMPANY R44 II (Chop Air LLC)
16 Jul 2026 — ROBINSON HELICOPTER COMPANY R44 II (D&p LLC)
Frequently asked questions
What happened in the 29 Dec 2014 ROBINSON HELICOPTER COMPANY R44 II accident near Horseshoe Bay, TX?
A helicopter slid forward and left upon contacting a landing cart. The pilot aborted, but the tail boom stinger hit the cart, causing the helicopter to nose over and sustain substantial damage.
Were there any fatalities in the 29 Dec 2014 ROBINSON HELICOPTER COMPANY R44 II accident?
No fatalities were recorded in this accident.
What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?
The accident on 29 Dec 2014 involved a ROBINSON HELICOPTER COMPANY R44 II, at Horseshoe Bay, TX.
What was the probable cause of the accident?
The helicopter's contact with the landing pad during a rejected landing.
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