Robinson R22 BETA N55TP

Summary

On 16 December 1997 at about 17:30 local time, a Robinson R22 BETA registered N55TP, operated by Airburst Helicopters Inc., was involved in an accident near Belle Vernon, Pennsylvania, United States. 2 people were on board and one died, one had minor injuries. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

16 December 1997 at 17:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Belle Vernon, Pennsylvania, United States

Nearest airport

Allegheny County Airport (AGC)

Coordinates

40.1192, -79.8595

Aircraft

Robinson R22 BETA

Registration

N55TP

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Airburst Helicopters Inc.

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Unknown

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Pittsburgh → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Destroyed

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

NYC98LA043

1 person died.

The pilot's improper out-of-ground hover procedure, which resulted in a loss of tailrotor effectiveness.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot was performing an out-of-ground-effect hover with a 10 knot tailwind in a Robinson R-22. When the pilot raised the collective to maneuver, and the helicopter began to spin to the right. The helicopter spun four times, descended, and impacted the ground. The pilot had about 100 hours of helicopter experience, and about 10 hours of out-of-ground-effect hover experience. After the accident, the pilot told a police officer that he exceeded the limitations of the tail rotor. FAA Advisory Circular (AC) 90-95 stated all single main rotor helicopters were susceptible to loss of tail rotor effectiveness (LTE). The AC advised pilots that when maneuvering between hover and 30 knots to avoid; tailwinds, out of ground effect hover and high power demand such as lowspeed downwind turns. It also advised the pilots to be aware of wind direction and velocity. In 1995, the FAA sent a letter to all U.S helicopter manufactures recommending they include a discussion on LTE in the operator's handbooks and flight manuals. The Robinson Helicopter Company has not complied with that request.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.