AOPA's Air Safety Institute Releases Early Analysis Video on Helicopter Crash in Houston

On October 20, 2024, a Robinson R44 helicopter crashed in downtown Houston, Texas, after it hit a radio tower. Sadly, all four occupants—the pilot, two adults, and one child—on board the aircraft perished in the accident. No one on the ground was hurt.

“In Early Analysis: Robinson R44 Crash During Downtown Houston Air Tour, ASI looks at factors that are expected to be subject of the National Transportation Safety Board investigation. We want to help general aviation pilots understand what is known about the accident and what we can learn from this tragedy to fly safer," said AOPA’s ASI Senior Vice President Mike Ginter.

Ginter continued, “The commercially certificated helicopter pilot had departed Ellington Airport, located 15 miles southeast of Houston, to conduct a sightseeing flight at night. Just about nine minutes into the flight, the helicopter flying at 600 feet msl collided with the 1,047-foot msl tower. The NTSB will likely look at the pilot’s preflight planning and human factors—including fatigue, bright city lights, and the tower’s partially inoperative anti-collision lights­—that may have affected the pilot’s ability to see and avoid the tower.”

“There is an inherent risk of low-altitude sightseeing flights at night when city light pollution can make it difficult to discern obstructions. So, it is imperative to review obstacle notams and aviation charts thoroughly, especially for low-altitude night flight operations,” Ginter concluded.

Early Analysis videos provide an initial assessment of prominent mishaps that generate large public interest and may indicate important safety lessons for the general aviation community.

View the video here.

View other Early Analysis videos here.