Robinson R22 BETA N2620C

Summary

On 1 February 2009 at about 23:50 local time, a Robinson R22 BETA registered N2620C was involved in an accident near Lexington, Kentucky, 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

1 February 2009 at 23:50

Classification

Accident

Location

Lexington, Kentucky, United States

Nearest airport

Blue Grass Airport (LEX)

Coordinates

38.0364, -84.6058

Aircraft

Robinson R22 BETA

Registration

N2620C

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Lexington → Georgetown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Night

NTSB number

ERA09CA156

Nobody was injured.

The pilot's failure to maintain control of the helicopter during takeoff. Contributing to this accident was the interference of the flight controls by the heavy coat and boots the pilot was wearing.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot of the Robinson R-22 stated that he was preparing for takeoff in the center of a non-movement area. Upon advancing the throttle to 100%, the helicopter began to spin rapidly to the left while still on the ground. The pilot attempted to completely lower the collective lever while reducing throttle to stop the rotation, but felt no noticeable effect. He then pulled the mixture control knob to stop the engine, coming to rest at the edge of a non-movement area. As the helicopter spun, it drifted until the tailboom contacted a snow bank incurring substantial damage. The pilot stated that he was wearing a heavy coat and boots at the time of the accident, which may have interfered with his ability to operate the collective and anti-torque pedal controls.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.