No fatalities

Robinson R44 II accident at Talkeetna, AK, 21 Feb 2020

Talkeetna, AK, United States

On February 21, 2020, a Robinson R44 II operated by Talkeetna Air Taxi Inc was involved in an aviation accident near Talkeetna, AK. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance from snow covered terrain during an en route descent in flat light conditions, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain. This summary draws on records from NTSB; 12 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

SourcesNTSBPrimary reportUpdated 2026-08-03Data APIEditorial standards

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance from snow covered terrain during an en route descent in flat light conditions, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain.

— NTSB Determination

Contributing factors

Causes

Altitude — Not attained/maintainedPilot

Other contributing factors

Effect on operationContributed to outcome

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 21 Feb 2020 Robinson R44 II accident near Talkeetna, AK?

The pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance from snow covered terrain during an en route descent in flat light conditions, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain.

Were there any fatalities in the 21 Feb 2020 Robinson R44 II accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 21 Feb 2020 involved a Robinson R44 II, operated by Talkeetna Air Taxi Inc, at Talkeetna, AK.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance from snow covered terrain during an en route descent in flat light conditions, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain.