Robinson R22 BETA N2301C

Summary

On 21 October 1999 at about 19:10 local time, a Robinson R22 BETA registered N2301C, operated by Tony Bonham Helicopters Inc., was involved in an accident near Jonesboro, Arkansas, United States. 2 people were on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

21 October 1999 at 19:10

Classification

Accident

Location

Jonesboro, Arkansas, United States

Nearest airport

Jonesboro Municipal (JBR)

Coordinates

35.8190, -90.6805

Aircraft

Robinson R22 BETA

Registration

N2301C

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Tony Bonham Helicopters Inc.

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Instructional

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

FTW00LA014

Nobody was injured.

The flight instructor's delay in taking remedial action to recover from a low rotor rpm situation. A factor was the student's failure to maintain adequate rotor rpm.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The helicopter-rated student performed a takeoff, and at 500 feet agl, the flight instructor 'initiated a throttle roll-off.' The student then entered an autorotation, during which time the instructor was 'riding the controls.' Approximately 250 feet agl, the low rotor horn sounded, and the low rotor light illuminated. The flight instructor reported that the student decreased the collective, 'but it was too small of an amount too late.' The flight instructor then initiated a go-around and 'released back pressure on the cyclic, decreased the collective, and rolled the throttle on, but the engine did not respond. The engine needle remained at idle.' The helicopter was descending through 75 feet agl when the flight instructor 'lowered the collective and initiated a hard flare.' The helicopter impacted the ground, and the main rotor blades contacted and severed the tail boom. The engine was test run and operated within the manufacturer's specifications.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.