Robinson R22 BETA N887BC

Summary

On 13 April 2006 at about 19:30 local time, a Robinson R22 BETA registered N887BC was involved in an accident near Chelsea, Michigan, 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

13 April 2006 at 19:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Chelsea, Michigan, United States

Coordinates

42.3083, -84.1111

Aircraft

Robinson R22 BETA

Registration

N887BC

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Chelsea → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CHI06FA109

2 people died.

The pilot's inadequate preflight inspection of the helicopter that failed to discover water in the fuel, resulting in a loss of engine power while maneuvering, and an in-flight collision with trees and terrain. Factors associated with the accident were inadequate fuel storage, and the low altitude of the helicopter.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

A private pilot was operating the helicopter as a local personal flight when it collided with trees and terrain during a forced landing. Witnesses related that the helicopter appeared to lose power, as if it ran out of gas, and that it came down fast, toward a road. The helicopter subsequently struck trees and terrain. An on-scene inspection disclosed no evidence of any preimpact mechanical anomalies with either the flight controls or engine. Fuel samples were collected from the helicopter's carburetor and fuel tanks. Analysis disclosed water in the carburetor fuel, but none in the fuel tanks. A fuel sample was also taken from the pilot's storage tank at his residence, which was under a building without rain gutters. The fuel from the storage tank had a layer of water and sediment. Detailed analysis of the water and sediment found in the carburetor fuel indicated that the contamination was consistent with run-off from a building's roof. The helicopter's engine was provided fresh fuel and operated successfully. During the investigation, an aviation mechanic related that about two weeks before the accident, the pilot had lost one of the helicopter's fuel caps, and had obtained a replacement cap.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.