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February 18, 2017 · Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA BETA · N7095A

Holbrook, AZ

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
February 18, 2017
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Holbrook, AZ
Aircraft
Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA BETA (1999)
Tail Number
N7095A
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
WPR17LA068

The private pilot was conducting a personal local flight in the helicopter. The pilot stated that he was flying at a low altitude over a cow pasture and descended to look at the cows. The helicopter was operating at 10 knots with a 7-knot headwind when the pilot initiated a 180° turn, which resulted in a tailwind condition and a subsequent uncommanded descent. The pilot took remedial actions, but the helicopter landed hard, and the main rotor blades severed the tailboom. The pilot stated that there were no mechanical anomalies with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation. It is likely that the helicopter lost effective translational lift during the turn from a headwind to a tailwind condition and that the pilot failed to compensate for the loss of translational lift, which resulted in the uncontrolled descent.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot’s failure to compensate for a loss of effective translational lift while turning from an upwind to a downwind condition at a low altitude and low airspeed, which resulted in a loss of helicopter control.

Full Narrative

On February 18, 2017, about 0800 mountain standard time, the pilot of a Robinson R22 Beta, N7095A, experienced a loss of helicopter control while maneuvering in a turn and landed hard in an open field near Holbrook, Arizona. The private pilot/owner operated the helicopter under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91, as a personal flight. The pilot and one passenger were not injured. The helicopter was substantially damaged. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local area flight and no flight plan had been filed. The flight departed from a private residence about 0715 the morning of the accident. According to the pilot's written statement, he departed from his brother's residence about 0715 with the intent of flying around Holbrook on a personal flight. They over flew a cow pasture, and descended to look at the cows. The pilot reported his airspeed was about 10 knots with a 7-knot headwind. He maneuvered the helicopter in a 180-degree turn and the helicopter started an un-commanded descent. He pulled cyclic control, which responded by lowering engine and main rotor blade rpm; he tried to lower and increase throttle, and flared to land; however, the helicopter landed hard. The main rotor blades contacted and subsequently severed the tail boom. The pilot stated that there were no mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation of the helicopter.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time08:00 MST
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftRobinson Helicopter R22 BETA BETA
Tail NumberN7095A
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-3660-J2A · Reciprocating · 145
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 43 · Third Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind120° @ 7 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point39 C / 25 C
Altimeter29.52 inHg
Observation Time14:45
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data