Robinson R-22B2 N7158M
22 December 2000 · Mesquite, Texas, United States · Serious injuries
Summary
On 22 December 2000 at about 17:00 local time, a Robinson R-22B2 registered N7158M was involved in an accident near Mesquite, Texas, United States. 2 people were on board and one was seriously injured, one had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.
The record
- Date
- at 17:00
- Classification
- Accident
- Location
- Mesquite, Texas, United States
- Nearest airport
- Mesquite Metro (HQZ)
- Coordinates
- 32.8799, -96.6504
- Aircraft
- Robinson R-22B2
- Registration
- N7158M
- Category
- Helicopter
- Engines
- 1
- Operator
- Not recorded
- Operating rule
- Part 91: General Aviation
- Purpose of flight
- Instructional
- Phase of flight
- Not recorded
- Route
- Garland → Unknown
- Aircraft damage
- Substantial
- Weather
- VMC
- Light
- Day
- NTSB number
- FTW01LA042
People
1 person was seriously injured.
| On board | Died | Serious | Minor | Uninjured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
Probable cause
The student pilot's abrupt control input, which resulted in a tail rotor blade strike. Factors were the CFI's delay in taking remedial action and the student pilot's lack of total experience.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.
Read the full NTSB narrative
Shortly after liftoff to a 10-foot hover, the certified flight instructor (CFI) transferred control of the helicopter to the student pilot. The student then 'jerked' back on the cyclic and the tail rotor struck the ground before the CFI could regain control. As the helicopter 'spun' to the right, the CFI attempted to reduce the throttle and lower the collective. The helicopter came to rest on its left side and both occupants evacuated. The helicopter sustained structural damage to the tail boom, cabin, and main rotor system. The instructional flight was the second for the student pilot who had 2 hours of total flight time.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.
Other accidents in this area
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 Jul 2000 | Schweizer G-164B | Moscow, Texas, United States | Paynes Flying Service, Inc. | Serious injuries | - |
| 30 May 2000 | Air Tractor AT-301 | Garwood, Texas, United States | Michael Thompson | Minor injuries | - |
| 19 Apr 2000 | Mooney M20F | Tomball, Texas, United States | - | Minor injuries | - |
| 12 Apr 2000 | Piper PA-32R-301 | Rocksprings, Texas, United States | Ivan B. Greenhut | No injuries | - |
| 16 Sep 2000 | Cessna 185F | Burnet, Texas, United States | - | Minor injuries | - |
| 26 Feb 2000 | Piper PA-18 | New Ulm, Texas, United States | Leonard F. Firth | Minor injuries | - |