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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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NTSB Report

October 16, 2006 · Robinson R22 BETA · N224VR

Monticello, UT

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 16, 2006
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Monticello, UT
Aircraft
Robinson R22 BETA
Tail Number
N224VR
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
DEN07CA013

The pilot said he was cruising at 8,500 feet msl (mean sea level) and at 65 KIAS (knots indicated airspeed) when he experienced a "slight yaw oscillation." He decided to make a precautionary landing and initiated a descent. The oscillations increased to about one yaw per second. Before reaching the selected landing site, the "low-rotor RPM horn/light activated. When the pilot lowered the collective control to recover, he got an engine and rotor overspeed indication of 110 per cent. The pilot made a 180-degree turn and autorotated from 800 feet agl. The helicopter landed on rocky terrain, surrounded by pinon and juniper trees. Main and tail rotor and tail rotor blades struck the trees, separating the tail rotor blades and gearbox from the tail boom. According to the helicopter manufacturer, nothing was found that would explain the oscillations described by the pilot, or why the low-rotor RPM horn/light activated.

NTSB Probable Cause

an airframe vibration for reasons undetermined, resulting in the pilot performing a precautionary landing, and obstacle clearance not possible.

Full Narrative

On October 16, 2006, approximately 1210 mountain daylight time, a Robinson R22BETA, N224VR, registered to and piloted by an airline transport certificated pilot, was substantially damaged when the helicopter struck some scrub trees and terrain following uncontrollable yaw oscillations while in cruise flight approximately 18 miles northeast of Monticello, Utah. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The business flight was being conducted under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91 without a flight plan. The pilot, the sole occupant aboard, was not injured. The local flight originated at Dove Creek, Colorado, approximately 1150, and was en route to Lisbon Valley, Utah. According to the pilot's accident report and a verbal statement he gave to an FAA inspector, he was cruising at 8,500 feet msl (mean sea level) and at 65 KIAS (knots indicated airspeed) when he experienced a "slight yaw oscillation." The pilot decided to make a precautionary landing and initiated a descent. The oscillations increased to about one yaw per second. Before reaching the selected landing site, the "low-rotor RPM horn/light activated. When the pilot lowered the collective control to recover, he got an engine and rotor overspeed indication of 110 per cent. The pilot made a 180-degree turn and autorotated from 800 feet agl. The helicopter landed on rocky terrain, surrounded by pinon and juniper trees. Post-accident examination revealed the main rotor and tail rotor blades had struck trees. The tail rotor blades and gearbox separated from the tail boom. According to a Robinson Helicopters repairman, he had found nothing that would explain the oscillations described by the pilot, or why the low-rotor RPM horn/light activated.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:10 MDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftRobinson R22 BETA
Tail NumberN224VR
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-360-J2A · Reciprocating · 145
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 54 · Second Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind160°
Visibility40 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data