Helicopteres Guimbal CABRI G2 N722TX

Summary

On 28 July 2017 at about 20:32 local time, a Helicopteres Guimbal CABRI G2 registered N722TX, operated by Texas Rotorwing Academy, was involved in an accident near Beaumont, Texas, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

28 July 2017 at 20:32

Classification

Accident

Location

Beaumont, Texas, United States

Nearest airport

Beaumont Muni (BMT)

Coordinates

30.0703, -94.2150

Aircraft

Helicopteres Guimbal CABRI G2

Registration

N722TX

Category

Helicopter

Year built

2016

Engines

1

Operator

Texas Rotorwing Academy

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Instructional

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Beaumont → Beaumont

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CEN17LA290

2 people had minor injuries.

The flight instructor's low-altitude maneuvering, which exceeded the helicopter's performance capability in the high-density altitude conditions and resulted in a loss of control.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The student pilot was practicing basic hovering skills under the supervision of the flight instructor. Due to the high air temperature and minimal airflow over the engine, the engine oil temperature had increased beyond the approved limits. The flight instructor decided to fly a low-altitude circuit along the perimeter of the airport to increase the airflow and cool the engine. The low-altitude circuit was performed at an altitude of about 100 ft above ground level and at a speed of about 60 knots. About halfway around the circuit, the oil temperature had returned to normal, and all other engine indications were normal at that time. However, during the turn at the southwest corner of the airport, which was about three-quarters of the way around the circuit, the helicopter began to lose altitude and would not respond to the flight instructor's control inputs. The flight instructor was unable to regain control, and the helicopter subsequently impacted the ground. Postaccident examination of the helicopter did not reveal any anomalies consistent with a preimpact failure or malfunction. In addition, the flight instructor stated that there were no issues with the helicopter before the accident. Impact marks showed that the main rotor blades struck the ground before the landing skids, which was consistent with a bank angle of at least 40° at the time of the accident. According to information that the helicopter manufacturer provided, the engine power and helicopter performance required to maintain altitude while maneuvering exceeded the power and performance available with the elevated density altitude conditions at the time of the accident flight, which resulted in a loss of altitude and an impact with the ground.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.