Robinson R-22 BETA N23428

Summary

On 3 June 2003 at about 15:03 local time, a Robinson R-22 BETA registered N23428 was involved in an accident near Montpelier, Virginia, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 died. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

3 June 2003 at 15:03

Classification

Accident

Location

Montpelier, Virginia, United States

Coordinates

37.7878, -77.7203

Aircraft

Robinson R-22 BETA

Registration

N23428

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Aerial Observation

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Shannon Airport → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

IAD03FA056

2 people died.

The pilot's failure to maintain adequate main rotor rpm while maneuvering at a low altitude.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The helicopter took off approximately 100 pounds over maximum gross weight, then flew for an hour and a half conducting low altitude power line inspections. A hand-held Global Positioning System receiver located near the wreckage recorded the entire flight. A review of the last 23 seconds of recorded data revealed that the helicopter was headed 088 degrees, before it initiated a left turn to a heading of 285 degrees. During that time, the helicopter decelerated from a ground speed of 30.4 knots to 3.6 knots before the data ended. The helicopter descended vertically through trees, and came to rest on its right side. The collective was found in the full-up position. Examination of the low rotor RPM light displayed significant stretching and deformation to the filament, consistent with a hot impact. The Robinson R-22 Beta Pilot Operating Handbook (POH) Safety Notice #SN-10, stated that a primary cause of fatal accidents in light helicopters is failure to maintain rotor RPM. The 417-hour helicopter pilot was reported to have accumulated a total of 370 hours in R-22 helicopters.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.