Robinson R22 N7782H

Summary

On 20 March 2019 at about 21:10 local time, a Robinson R22 registered N7782H was involved in an accident near Madill, Oklahoma, 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

20 March 2019 at 21:10

Classification

Accident

Location

Madill, Oklahoma, United States

Coordinates

34.3039, -97.0206

Aircraft

Robinson R22

Registration

N7782H

Category

Helicopter

Year built

2005

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Madill → Ardmore

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CEN19LA106

Nobody was injured.

The failure of the V-belts due to improper maintenance, which resulted in the loss of power to the helicopter's rotor system and subsequent forced landing on rough terrain.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that about 10 minutes after takeoff, the helicopter was in level flight about 700 to 800 ft above ground level when the clutch actuator warning/caution light illuminated. He entered an autorotation intending to do a power recovery close to the ground. He indicated that, within a "short second or two" after the clutch light illuminated, he heard a "bang" and felt the helicopter shudder. He continued the autorotation and landed on rough terrain. The helicopter rolled onto its left side and sustained substantial damage to the tail boom, main rotor, and fuselage. The examination of the helicopter revealed that the two double V-belts had separated from the upper sheave and that there was a field repair on the wire connections at the clutch actuator fuse holder. The terminals were wrapped in tape and a wire tie. When the wire tie and tape were removed, the fuse holder terminal fell and fractured from the holder, and the wires separated from the solder on the terminal. The extension limiter was found at 1.65 inches, which is the maximum extension limit; the normal range was 1.1 to 1.3 inches. The improper repair of the clutch actuator fuse holder likely caused the loose condition of the V-belts, which resulted in V-belt failure and the loss of power to the helicopter's rotor system, subsequent autorotation, and forced landing.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.