Robinson R44 Raven II, N478AT, fatal accident occurred on March 23, 2026, in Boynton Beach, Florida

This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when the final report has been completed.

https://registry.faa.gov/AircraftInquiry/Search/NNumberResult?nNumberTxt=N478AT

- History of Flight:
On March 23, 2026, at about 1221 local time, a Robinson R44 Raven II, N478AT, registered to Airmen Testing and Training Inc out of Lantana, Florida, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident in Boynton Beach, Florida. The flight instructor and student pilot were fatally injured. The training flight originated from the Palm Beach County Airport (LNA/KLNA), Palm Beach, Florida, at 1121 local time.

A witness reported that he saw a maroon-colored helicopter dropping out of the sky, and pointing straight toward the ground. "It just nosedived right into the roof, and it punched a hole in the roof."

According to to preliminary air traffic control (ATC) recording, the pilot was heard saying "... Hey ... we are going to land out here in one of the fields we've got something going on with the helicopter." The controller responded "Hey 8AT you good I didn't hear that call?" An unknown voice was heard responding "He said he is going to land at one of the fields, there is a problem with his engine." A few seconds later the pilot was heard saying "Hey 8AT I am on the shoreline I am coming down to see whats going on..."

According to preliminary automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast (ADS-B) data, the helicopter departed KLNA and headed east towards the shore where it flew alongside the coast at an altitude of 500-600 ft. At 1146 LT, the helicopter started going southwest in preparation to land at the Downtown Fort Lauderdale Heliport (DT1), Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The helicopter circled the heliport and landed at 1149 LT. At 1152 LT, the helicopter departed the heliport, climbed to 400 ft, and headed west. At 1158:38, the airplane turned right and headed north. At 1206:03, the helicopter turned right and headed east. At 1209:00, the helicopter turned left and was now heading north. During this entire period, the helicopter was cruising at 400 ft, with groundspeed values averaging 80 knots. At 1214:53, the helicopter climbed to 600 ft and starting heading east. At 1217:54, the helicopter overflew Antiquers Aerodrome (FD08), Delray Beach, Florida, at 600 ft. At 1220:13, the helicopter turned left, and began a climb to the north to 700 ft. At 1221:15, the helicopter was at 700 ft and descending 250 feet per minute (fpm), at this point, the helicopter had decelerated from about 81 knots (from the start of the turn) to 68 knots groundspeed. At 1221:25, the helicopter was at 500 ft, 72 knots GS, and descending 2300 feet per minute. The last ADS-B data point was recorded at the edge of the warehouse, the helicopter was at 200 ft, 52 knots groundspeed, and descending 9850 feet per minute (fpm).

Figure 1: Overview of ADS-B exchange data.

Figure 2: Closeup of final 9 minutes of flight.

Figure 3: Final 2 minutes of ADS-B data.

- Pilot Information:
Unknown.

- Aircraft Information:
The accident aircraft, serial number 1006, was a four-seat, single main rotor, single-engine helicopter, was constructed primarily of metal, and manufactured in 2001. The primary structure of the fuselage was welded steel tubing and riveted aluminum sheet. The tailcone was a monocoque structure in which aluminum skins carried most of the primary loads. Fiberglass and thermoplastics were used in the secondary structure of the cabin, engine cooling system, and in various other ducts and fairings. The helicopter was powered by a 260-horsepower Lycoming O-540 engine.

- Wreckage and Impact Information:
The helicopter came to rest to rest inside a warehouse after going through a lightweight truss roof. There was no post crash fire. There was a single point of entry in the roof and no other debris surrounding the hole. The impact appears consistent with an attempted forced landing, but without further photos or damage description, it is hard to analyze this further.

Figure: Overview of accident site, note lack of debris outside of the hole.

- Weather:

(1) METARs:

METAR KLNA 231555Z AUTO 30003KT 10SM CLR 26/04 A3013 RMK AO2 T02610039

METAR KLNA 231615Z AUTO 23003KT 10SM CLR 26/04 A3013 RMK AO2 T02630043

METAR KLNA 231635Z AUTO 36003KT 10SM CLR 27/05 A3013 RMK AO2 T02660048

METAR KLNA 231655Z AUTO 31007KT 10SM CLR 27/05 A3012 RMK AO2 T02720054

METAR KBCT 231753Z 10008KT 10SM CLR 26/11 A3009

- Additional Information:
None.