Robinson R22 N324GS

Summary

On 28 November 2009 at about 19:30 local time, a Robinson R22 registered N324GS, operated by G & S Helicopters Inc, was involved in an accident near Indian Key, Florida, United States. One person was on board and one was seriously injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

28 November 2009 at 19:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Indian Key, Florida, United States

Coordinates

24.8736, -80.6728

Aircraft

Robinson R22

Registration

N324GS

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

G & S Helicopters Inc

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Islamorada → Islamorada

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ERA10CA083

1 person was seriously injured.

The pilot's failure to secure the collective control prior to departing the helicopter, which resulted in an unmanned departure and subsequent crash of the helicopter.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

According to the pilot, he landed in order to examine his helicopter due to the intermittent illumination of a warning light. After landing, he reduced the throttle to "70 percent," exited the helicopter, and began a visual inspection as the helicopter continued to run. During the inspection, the helicopter initiated a takeoff, which the pilot could not arrest from outside the cockpit. The helicopter climbed to approximately 150 feet altitude and flew about 1,800 feet before it descended and collided with water. The pilot was seriously injured during the takeoff, and the helicopter was substantially damaged during collision with the water. The pilot stated that he failed to secure the collective control, and added, "There was nothing wrong with the helicopter."

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.