This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this writing will be corrected when/if the NTSB preliminary report is released.
https://registry.faa.gov/AircraftInquiry/Search/NNumberResult?nNumberTxt=N272JW
- History of Flight:
On November 4, 2026, at about 1117 local time, a Robinson R44 Raven II helicopter, N272JW, registered to Global Aerials Inc and doing business as Global Air Group Inc, sustained substantial damage when it was involved in an accident near Biscayne Bay, Florida. The commercial pilot was fatally injured, and two passengers suffered minor injuries. The aerial photography flight originated from North Perry Airport (HWO/KHWO), Hollywood, Florida, at 1112.
The purpose of the flight was to take photos of the speed boat event called Poker Run. The FAA reported that the helicopter crashed under unknown circumstances in the water.
According to preliminary ADS-B data, the helicopter departed and proceeded south to an altitude of 200 ft. At about 1059, the helicopter climbed to 100 ft over the Rickenbacker Causeway and proceeded to circle south of the bridge at low altitude. At 1109, the helicopter flew south on a 204° heading. The helicopter continued flying south with different variations in groundspeeds (sometimes averaging 100 knots, or as low as 20 knots while doing slight turns/heading changes, likely as it was taking photographs of the event). At 1115:45, the helicopter initiated a right turn and began tracking north. At 1116:58, the helicopter turned right, which was followed by a left turn 7 seconds later. At 1117:29, the helicopter was at 77 knots (GS) when it initiated a final right turn. The last ADS-B data point was recorded at 1117:35, the helicopter was reporting 56 knots (GS) and -480 feet per minute (fpm) rate. Note that, for the majority of the flight, the helicopter was flying at low altitudes so the track was consistently showing an altitude 0 ft.
Nearby boaters reported hearing a mayday call and rushed to the scene where they found the helicopter inverted on the surface.
- Pilot Information:
The pilot, aged 63, held a commercial pilot certificate with a rotorcraft/helicopter rating and a private certificate with an airplane single engine land rating. His second class FAA medical was issued on May 2026.
- Aircraft Information:
The accident aircraft, serial number 13769, was a four-seat, single main rotor, single-engine helicopter. It was constructed primarily of metal, and manufactured in 2015. 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. The helicopter was powered by a 260-horsepower Lycoming IO-540-AE1A5 engine.
According to section 2 of the Pilot Operating Handbook (POH):
WEIGHT LIMITS
Maximum weight for intentional water operations 2400 lb (1091 kg)
FLIGHT AND MANEUVER LIMITATIONS
Maximum altitude decrease with floats inflated is 4000 feet. CAUTION Altitude loss greater than 4000 feet may cause floats to lose shape and rigidity due to atmospheric pressure increase. Do not inflate floats above 4000 feet AGL.
Water landings for any reason other than an actual emergency are prohibited at weights above 2400 lb (1091 kg).
PLACARDS
Near inflation lever: Vne WITH FLOATS INFLATED: 80 KIAS
- Wreckage and Impact Information:
The helicopter came to rest inverted in the water and the floats were inflated.
- Weather:
(1) Brief:
At 1053, the nearest airport was reporting winds 070 at 8 knots, 6 miles visibility, rain and mist, few clouds at 1,500 ft AGL, a broken Cumulonimbus cloud at 2,700 ft AGL, a broken ceiling at 6,000 AGL ft, an overcast ceiling at 15,000 ft AGL, temperature 25 °C, dewpoint 24 °C, and an altimeter setting of 29.98 inches of mercury. The cumulonimbus cloud was moving from the northeast towards the west.
At 1136, the nearest airport was reporting winds 080 at 8 knots, 10 miles visibility, rain, mist and a thunderstorm, few clouds at 2,700 ft AGL, a broken Cumulonimbus cloud at 2,700 ft AGL, a broken ceiling at 7,000 AGL ft, an overcast ceiling at 13,000 ft AGL, temperature 25 °C, dewpoint 23 °C, and an altimeter setting of 29.96 inches of mercury. Occasional lightning was reported in the clouds in the southeast, and a thunderstorm was moving from the southeast towards the west.
At 1055, a convective SIGMET for thunderstorms with tops of 44,000 ft was active for south Florida, with reports of severe turbulence, icing, hail, and possible lightning.
A review of the National Reflectivity Mosaic showed the presence echoes ranging from 20 to 40 dBZ, with some small areas showing up to 45-60 dBZ. According to the NWS, echos ranging from 40 to 50 dBZ depicts moderate precipitation, and from 50 to 65 dBZ depicts heavy precipitation or some hail.
Review of the Graphical Area Forecast imagery showed the presence of broken to overcast ceilings, isolated thunderstorms, and likely rainshowers.
Note that, since the helicopter was flying at low altitude over the surface of the water, it is unknown whether it would have encountered any of the mentioned weather conditions.
(2) Figures:
(1) METARs:
METAR KMIA 041553Z COR 07008KT 6SM RA BR FEW015 BKN027CB BKN060 OVC150 25/24 A2998 RMK AO2 TSE34 SLP151 CB NE MOV W P0001 T02500239 $
METAR KMIA 041636Z 08008KT 10SM -TSRA BKN027CB BKN070 BKN130 25/23 A2996 RMK AO2 TSE30B32 OCNL LTGICCG SE TS SE MOV W P0006 T02500233 $
(2) Area Forecast Discussion:
040 FXUS62 KMFL 041130 AFDMFL Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Miami FL 630 AM EST Wed Nov 4 2026 ...New AVIATION... .KEY MESSAGES... Updated at 630 AM EST Wed Nov 4 2026 - Additional rainfall could result in localized flooding across portions of the area that have seen repeated rounds of heavy rainfall over the last several days. Highest chances during the morning hours over the Atlantic coast. - Minor coastal flooding expected during times of high tide. - Dangerous beach conditions are expected across the Atlantic coast through today. && .SHORT TERM... (Today through Thursday) Issued at 315 AM EST Wed Nov 4 2026 Overnight period has remained busy radar-wise with persisting training of cells around northern Broward county. Flash Flood warnings/Flood Advisories have been necessary for those areas, with some potential for additional showers through sunrise. Ensembles and global models show developing high pressure across the SE U.S. coast slowly moving closer to the area. This will decrease pressure gradients across Soflo and allow for coastal winds to gradually decrease starting today. Drier air is also expected to continue to filter into the region, which will also help in the downward trend of active weather. In terms of POPs, latest NBM keeps highest values through the mid morning hours, mainly over the immediate Atlantic coastal areas of SoFlo where up to 80% for that time period. WPC is also keeping a Marginal Risk for Excesssive Rainfall (level 1 of 4), mainly for the morning hours. The high pressure will continue to inch closer to the area on Thursday, with a more pronounced mid-lvl layer of drier air establishing across SoFlo. This will result in POPs dropping into single digits by the afternoon hours, and widespread light to moderate NE flow. Meanwhile, a sfc dry front will begin moving across the state, with reinforcing high pressure in its wake. Also, coastal hazards continue as high astronomical tides combine with persistent onshore winds to keep threat of coastal flooding in place today. Afternoon temperatures will remain in the mid to upper 80s each day, with slightly warmer values on Thursday with more hours of sunshine. && .LONG TERM... (Thursday night through Tuesday) Issued at 315 AM EST Wed Nov 4 2026 Long range models depict reinforcing high pressure and drier conditions prevailing across the area during the weekend in the wake of a dry FROPA. Mainly single-digit POPs are expected each day through Sunday. For early next week, models depict a potential mid-lvl trough moving across the area and bringing increasing chances of showers for the late Monday-Tuesday timeframe. But even so, max POPs seem to remain in the 20-30% range. The latest trend in guidance is also to bring a more pronounced temperature response as overall northerly flow develops in the wake of the FROPA. Afternoon highs should remain in the upper 70s to low 80s by early next week. && .AVIATION... (12Z TAFS) Issued at 630 AM EST Wed Nov 4 2026 Winds will remain generally NE in the 10-12kt range through around 00Z, then L/V tonight. Some brief MVFR/IFR cigs/vis periods are still possible this morning over the Atlantic terminals with coastal showers and thunderstorms. Mainly VFR conditions should prevail later in the day. && .MARINE... Issued at 315 AM EST Wed Nov 4 2026 Marine conditions will continue to gradually improve across the Atlantic waters as winds subside, and a more gentle NE flow develops. Scattered to numerous showers and thunderstorms will continue across all Atlantic waters, with highest chances during the morning hours, while mainly isolated showers prevail over the Gulf waters today. Significantly drier conditions will prevail during the weekend in the wake of a dry frontal passage across the region. && .BEACHES... Issued at 315 AM EST Wed Nov 4 2026 The onshore flow will keep a High Risk for rip currents across Atlantic beaches for one more day, then conditions begin improving tonight. Higher than usual tides will also continue to keep elevated water levels near the coast today. && .PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS... Miami 84 75 86 74 / 60 20 20 0 West Kendall 85 74 86 73 / 50 20 20 0 Opa-Locka 85 74 86 73 / 60 20 10 0 Homestead 85 75 86 73 / 60 20 10 0 Fort Lauderdale 83 74 84 74 / 70 10 10 0 N Ft Lauderdale 84 74 85 74 / 70 10 10 0 Pembroke Pines 85 74 87 73 / 70 20 10 0 West Palm Beach 84 74 85 73 / 40 10 0 0 Boca Raton 83 75 84 74 / 60 10 10 0 Naples 85 72 86 71 / 50 20 10 10 && .MFL WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... FL...High Rip Current Risk through this evening for FLZ168. High Rip Current Risk until 10 AM EST this morning for FLZ172- 173. AM...None. GM...None. && $$ SHORT TERM...17 LONG TERM....17 AVIATION...Rizzuto
- Additional Information:
According to the Robinson Safety Notice SN-19:
"FLYING LOW OVER WATER IS VERY HAZARDOUS
Many helicopter accidents have occurred while maneuvering low over water. Many pilots do not realize their loss of depth perception when flying over water. Flying over calm glassy water is particularly dangerous, but even choppy water, with its constantly varying surface, interferes with normal depth perception and may cause a pilot to misjudge his height above the water.
MAINTAIN 500 FEET AGL WHENEVER POSSIBLE AND AVOID MANEUVERS OVER WATER BELOW 200 FEET AGL."
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