Robinson R22 BETA N7198A

Summary

On 10 November 2021 at about 19:30 local time, a Robinson R22 BETA registered N7198A, operated by Flying J Services LLC, was involved in an accident near Freer, 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

10 November 2021 at 19:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Freer, Texas, United States

Coordinates

27.8828, -98.6178

Aircraft

Robinson R22 BETA

Registration

N7198A

Category

Helicopter

Year built

2001

Engines

1

Operator

Flying J Services LLC

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Other Work Use

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CEN22LA033

Nobody was injured.

The pilot’s encounter with ‘settling with power’ while maneuvering at a low altitude, which resulted in a rapid descent and subsequent hard landing.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that the purpose of the flight was to capture deer on a private ranch. About 30 minutes into the flight, while the helicopter was following a deer and about 20 ft above the ground, the pilot turned downwind and felt the helicopter shutter. He immediately realized that he got into a state of “settling with power.” The pilot reported that he attempted to keep the helicopter straight, flat, and upright as it contacted the ground. The helicopter bounced about 3 times before coming to a stop upright. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the main rotor blades and the tail boom. The pilot reported there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operations.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.