What happened
On March 10, 2025, at approximately 18:30 central daylight time, a Robinson R44 II, registration N128AF, was involved in an accident near Chicago, Illinois. The flight was operating as a sightseeing mission under 14 CFR Part 91.
The flight departed Lansing Municipal Airport (IGQ) at approximately 17:45. The pilot flew north along the Lake Michigan shoreline for about 25 nautical miles to Navy Pier, maintaining an altitude of roughly 1,000 feet above ground level, before turning south toward the departure airport.
During the southbound leg, approximately 4 nautical miles south of Navy Pier, the pilot observed the clutch light illuminate for approximately five seconds. Shortly thereafter, the pilot noticed the smell of burning rubber, and the clutch light illuminated a second time. After pulling the clutch circuit breaker, the pilot began preparations to land as soon as practical. During this time, the tail section of the aircraft began to vibrate, followed by a loud bang. The pilot performed an autorotation into an open area on a golf course.
There were no injuries to the pilot or the two passengers.