Robinson R22 BETA N7519V

Summary

On 30 April 2009 at about 21:50 local time, a Robinson R22 BETA registered N7519V, operated by Spitzer Matthew, was involved in an accident near New Braunfels, Texas, United States. 2 people were 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

30 April 2009 at 21:50

Classification

Accident

Location

New Braunfels, Texas, United States

Nearest airport

New Braunfels Municipal (KBAZ)

Coordinates

29.7028, -98.0386

Aircraft

Robinson R22 BETA

Registration

N7519V

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Spitzer Matthew

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Flight Test

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

New Braunfels → New Braunfels

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CEN09CA273

Nobody was injured.

The pilot's failure to maintain adequate main rotor rpm during a practice autorotation. Contributing to the accident was the instructor pilot's delayed remedial action.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The instructor pilot was performing flight checks on the single-engine helicopter after maintenance had been performed. The instructor pilot and private pilot on board had completed three straight-in autorotations and one 180-degree reverse direction autorotation. The instructor set up on downwind and initiated a second 180-degree autorotation. When the turn was almost completed, the rotor RPM started to drop. The instructor decided to initiate a power recovery go-around. Power was applied but the helicopter continued to settle and hit the ground in a level attitude. The helicopter rolled on its left side and sustained substantial damage. Both occupants exited the aircraft unassisted and were not injured. No system anomalies were discovered.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.