Robinson R22 BETA N104MH

Summary

On 5 April 2012 at about 13:00 local time, a Robinson R22 BETA registered N104MH, operated by Duane J Kraft, was involved in an accident near Isabel, South Dakota, United States. 2 people were 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

5 April 2012 at 13:00

Classification

Accident

Location

Isabel, South Dakota, United States

Coordinates

45.2672, -101.3864

Aircraft

Robinson R22 BETA

Registration

N104MH

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Duane J Kraft

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Other Work Use

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Timber Lake → Timber Lake

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CEN12LA230

1 person was seriously injured.

The partial loss of engine power due to carburetor ice.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

While maneuvering at low altitude during a coyote hunting operation, the helicopter experienced a partial loss of engine power. The helicopter descended, impacted trees and terrain, and rolled on its right side. There was a minor fuel leak but no postimpact fire. A postaccident examination of the helicopter did not reveal any evidence of preimpact mechanical malfunction or failures that would have precluded normal operation. Based on the temperature and dew point about the time of the accident, the conditions were conducive to serious carburetor icing at any power setting. The pilot reported that he was unsure if he had used carburetor heat for the accident flight. Available evidence suggests that the engine partially lost power in the absence of carburetor heat while operating in conditions conducive to carburetor icing.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.