No fatalities

ROBINSON HELICOPTER R44 accident at Pontiac, MI, 31 May 2023

Pontiac, MI, United States

On May 31, 2023, a ROBINSON HELICOPTER R44 operated by N/A was involved in an aviation accident near Pontiac, MI. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The flight crew’s inadequate compensation for gusting wind, and the flight instructor’s delayed remedial action, which resulted in impact with the ground. This summary draws on records from NTSB; 17 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

SourcesNTSBPrimary reportUpdated 2026-08-03Data APIEditorial standards

Probable cause

The flight crew’s inadequate compensation for gusting wind, and the flight instructor’s delayed remedial action, which resulted in impact with the ground.

— NTSB Determination

Contributing factors

Instructor/check pilotResponse/compensationPerformance/control parameters — Not attained/maintained

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 31 May 2023 ROBINSON HELICOPTER R44 accident near Pontiac, MI?

The flight crew’s inadequate compensation for gusting wind, and the flight instructor’s delayed remedial action, which resulted in impact with the ground.

Were there any fatalities in the 31 May 2023 ROBINSON HELICOPTER R44 accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 31 May 2023 involved a ROBINSON HELICOPTER R44, operated by N/A, at Pontiac, MI.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The flight crew’s inadequate compensation for gusting wind, and the flight instructor’s delayed remedial action, which resulted in impact with the ground.