No fatalities

ROBINSON HELICOPTER COMPANY R44 II accident at Howe, ID, 22 Mar 2022

Howe, ID, United States

On March 22, 2022, a ROBINSON HELICOPTER COMPANY R44 II operated by TUMBLEWEED LEASING CO INC was involved in an aviation accident near Howe, ID. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate rotor rpm while descending with a gusting tailwind condition, which resulted in a loss of helicopter control. This summary draws on records from NTSB; 14 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 rotor rpm while descending with a gusting tailwind condition, which resulted in a loss of helicopter control.

— NTSB Determination

Contributing factors

PilotDescent/approach/glide path — Not attained/maintainedEffect on equipment

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 22 Mar 2022 ROBINSON HELICOPTER COMPANY R44 II accident near Howe, ID?

The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate rotor rpm while descending with a gusting tailwind condition, which resulted in a loss of helicopter control.

Were there any fatalities in the 22 Mar 2022 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 22 Mar 2022 involved a ROBINSON HELICOPTER COMPANY R44 II, operated by TUMBLEWEED LEASING CO INC, at Howe, ID.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate rotor rpm while descending with a gusting tailwind condition, which resulted in a loss of helicopter control.