Robinson R44 II Emergency Landing in Río Traidor, Chile

Incident Overview and Location On December 14, 2024, at approximately 13:00 local time, a Robinson R44 II helicopter made an emergency landing in the Río Traidor, located in the Llanada Grande sector of Cochamó, Los Lagos Region, Chile. The aircraft was operating a recreational flight with one pilot and three passengers aboard. The pilot, a 58-year-old Chilean holding a private helicopter license, reported low rotor RPMs while descending near the riverbank, prompting the emergency landing. The helicopter impacted the terrain and rolled onto its left side. All four occupants were unharmed, while the aircraft sustained significant structural damage. The incident site was situated 11 km west of Llanada Grande, at coordinates 41° 51' 06'' S and 72° 04' 23'' W, with an elevation of 65 m (214 ft). The terrain consisted of pebbles and sandbanks within the riverbed.