Robinson R44 II N916VK

Summary

On 29 January 2026 at about 19:00 local time, a Robinson R44 II registered N916VK was involved in an accident near Sullivan, Missouri, United States. 4 people were on board and 2 had minor injuries. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

29 January 2026 at 19:00

Classification

Accident

Location

Sullivan, Missouri, United States

Nearest airport

Sullivan Rgnl (UUV)

Coordinates

38.2129, -91.0892

Aircraft

Robinson R44 II

Registration

N916VK

Category

Helicopter

Year built

2006

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Aerial Observation

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Sullivan → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Destroyed

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CEN26LA101

2 people had minor injuries.

The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from powerlines during low-level operations.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot stated while conducting a wildlife survey the helicopter contacted and severed a powerline which resulted in the separation of the main rotor system at the rotor mast. The fuselage and tail boom came to rest inverted and submerged in a river. The pilot stated there were no issues with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operations.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.