Robinson R22 BETA N2301F

Summary

On 12 May 2004 at about 16:45 local time, a Robinson R22 BETA registered N2301F was involved in an accident near Winsted, Minnesota, United States. One person was on board and 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.

Date

12 May 2004 at 16:45

Classification

Accident

Location

Winsted, Minnesota, United States

Coordinates

44.9658, -94.0489

Aircraft

Robinson R22 BETA

Registration

N2301F

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Unk → Unk

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CHI04LA119

1 person had minor injuries.

The failure of the main rotor drive belts for an undetermined reason, and the pilot's misjudged flare during the autorotation.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The helicopter was damaged during a forced landing. The pilot reported that he heard a loud bang, smelled rubber, received a clutch warning light, and autorotated to a recently planted corn field. The corn was approximately 2 inches tall in rolling terrain. The tail rotor and aft section of the tail boom were separated from the helicopter and the landing skids were bent outward and upward. The main drive system was examined. The main drive belts are composed of 2 independent belts each having twin V's. The 2 belts run in 4 groove pulley sheaves attached to the engine and clutch. One of the belts was split between the 2 V's for approximately 1/2 of the circumference of the belt. The second belt was shredded. Examination of the actuator revealed no anomalies. No other anomalies could be found with respect to the drive system.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.