Probable cause
The pilot’s misalignment of the helicopter during landing, which resulted in the helicopter’s fall from a raised platform.
NTSB analysis
After a local flight, the pilot positioned the helicopter onto its platform trailer. The helicopter’s left skid touched down on the metal surface, and the pilot then lowered the right skid to the platform. The helicopter started to slip off the platform, so the pilot raised the collective to correct the problem. However, the helicopter fell to the left, the main rotor impacted the ground, and the tail boom was severed. The helicopter came to rest on the skids; the fuel tank was compromised and a post-crash fire consumed a majority of the helicopter.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN12CA643 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Sep 18, 2012
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Slaton, Texas
- Nearest airport
- Slaton Municipal (F49)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Robinson Helicopter Company R44 II
- N-number
- N957R
- Category
- Helicopter
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Aerial application
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.