Robinson R22 BETA N102MH

Summary

On 24 August 2002 at about 18:30 local time, a Robinson R22 BETA registered N102MH was involved in an accident near Seneca, Illinois, United States. One person was 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

24 August 2002 at 18:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Seneca, Illinois, United States

Coordinates

41.3003, -88.6106

Aircraft

Robinson R22 BETA

Registration

N102MH

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Business

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Seneca → Seneca

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CHI02LA263

Nobody was injured.

The loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. Factors were the low altitude, the trees, and the unsuitable terrain encountered for the forced landing.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The helicopter was damaged when it collided with trees and terrain during landing approach after a loss of engine power. The pilot stated that he was preparing to turn from the downwind leg of the landing approach to the base leg. He stated that he applied carburetor heat and the engine stopped producing power. The pilot autorotated and landed in trees that were below the helicopter when the engine failed. A postaccident examination of the helicopter revealed that the inner wire of the carburetor heat control cable was fractured. The carburetor heat slide valve was found in an intermediate position. No other preexisting anomalies were found.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.