Robinson R44 II N992TP

Summary

On 4 July 2025 at about 16:30 local time, a Robinson R44 II registered N992TP was involved in an accident near Pecos, Texas, United States. 2 people were on board and one was seriously injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

4 July 2025 at 16:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Pecos, Texas, United States

Nearest airport

Pecos Municipal Airport (PEQ)

Coordinates

31.3824, -103.5107

Aircraft

Robinson R44 II

Registration

N992TP

Category

Helicopter

Year built

2017

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Pecos → Pecos

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CEN25LA237

1 person was seriously injured.

The pilot’s failure to maintain aircraft control during gusty wind conditions.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The student helicopter pilot stated that during a personal flight, he and a pilot departed the airport, flew to a ranch and returned. The pilot did not hold a flight instructor certificate. Upon return, they flew to the airport fuel facility to obtain fuel. A witness stated that the student pilot told him he was manipulating the flight controls at the time of the accident during a hover taxi and due to gusty wind conditions and not being comfortable, he transferred the flight controls to the pilot. The student pilot stated as the helicopter nearly touched down in front of the fuel facility, a big gust of wind, presumably a whirlwind, shot the helicopter straight up about 20-25 ft, and the helicopter did a quick 360° turn and rolled left before it came crashing down. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the tail rotor, fuselage, and main rotor. The student pilot stated there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures of the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.