Robinson R-22 N9033B
21 April 1982 · Vero Beach, Florida, United States · Minor injuries
Summary
On 21 April 1982 at about 19:40 local time, a Robinson R-22 registered N9033B, operated by Pro-Flite of Vero, Inc., was involved in an accident near Vero Beach, Florida, United States. 2 people were on board and one had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. No probable cause statement is available for this record.
The record
- Date
- at 19:40
- Classification
- Accident
- Location
- Vero Beach, Florida, United States
- Nearest airport
- Vero Beach Municipal (VRB)
- Coordinates
- 27.6402, -80.3905
- Aircraft
- Robinson R-22
- Registration
- N9033B
- Category
- Helicopter
- Engines
- 1
- Operator
- Pro-Flite of Vero, Inc.
- Operating rule
- Part 91: General Aviation
- Purpose of flight
- Instructional
- Phase of flight
- Not recorded
- Route
- Vero Beach → Vero Beach
- Aircraft damage
- Substantial
- Weather
- VMC
- Light
- Day
- NTSB number
- MIA82DA105
People
1 person had minor injuries.
| On board | Died | Serious | Minor | Uninjured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
Probable cause
The NTSB has not published a probable cause for this record. No probable cause statement is present in the source data.
Nothing about the cause is stated here that is not in the source record.
Read the full NTSB narrative
THE HELICOPTER WAS AIR TAXIED TO THE FUEL PUMP FOR REFUELING. THE AIRCREW REMAINED IN THE HELICOPTER WHILE THE LINEMAN SERVICED THE FUEL TANK. AFTER REFUELING AND STARTING THE ENGINE, THE INSTRUCTOR WAS AT THE CONTROLS WHILE IN CLOSE PROXIMITY OF THE PUMPS. HE REPORTED HEARING A "THUD" WHEN THE HELICOPTER HAD MOVED ABOUT 10 FEET FROM THE PUMPS AND THOUGHT SOMETHING HAD JAMMED. THE PILOTS THOUGHT THEY HAD EXPERIENCED SOME MALFUNCTION OF THE FLIGHT CONTROL SYSTEM. THEY REPORTED THAT THE HELICOPTER GYRATED LEFT AND RIGHT BEFORE CRASHING AFTER THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES STRUCK THE GROUND. AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT DURING REFUELING OPERATIONS, A GROUND WIRE WAS NORMALLY CLIPPED TO A TAB ON THE LANDING SKID. THE PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICER FOR THE FLIGHT SCHOOL BELIEVED THAT THE GROUND WIRE MAY NOT HAVE BEEN REMOVED. HOWEVER, THE LINEMAN WAS POSITIVE HE HAD REMOVED THE GROUND WIRE, AND A WITNESS STATED NO WIRE WAS ATTACHED. NO PREIMPACT FAILURE WAS FOUND.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.
Other Robinson R-22 accidents
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 Feb 1982 | Robinson R-22 | Ormand Beach, Florida, United States | Daytona Beach Aviation | Fatal | 2 |
| 30 Sep 1982 | Robinson R-22 | Paige, Texas, United States | Tejas Helicopters | Fatal | 1 |
| 20 Nov 1982 | Robinson R-22 | Laurel, Maryland, United States | New Haven Helicopter Inc. | No injuries | - |
| 15 Sep 1982 | Robinson R-22 | Austin, Texas, United States | Tejas Helicopters Inc. | Minor injuries | - |
| 21 Oct 1982 | Robinson R-22 | Indian Hill, Ohio, United States | Colerain Investment | Fatal | 1 |
| 10 Apr 1982 | Robinson R-22 | Mesa, Arizona, United States | Superstition Air Service | No injuries | - |
Other accidents in this area
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17 Feb 1982 | Cessna 152 | Opa Locka, Florida, United States | Burnside-Ott | No injuries | - |
| 6 Oct 1982 | Piper PA-23-250 | Lake Placid, Florida, United States | - | Fatal | 2 |
| 7 May 1982 | Cessna 172K | Geneva, Florida, United States | Johnny E. Southerland | No injuries | - |
| 19 Mar 1982 | Piper PA-28-161 | Lake Wales, Florida, United States | Venice Flying Service Inc | Minor injuries | - |
| 16 Apr 1982 | Cessna 182G | Lake Wales, Florida, United States | Clyde E. Forsythe | No injuries | - |
| 19 Apr 1982 | Piper PA-28-140 | Lake Wales, Florida, United States | Bruce J. Lillie | No injuries | - |