Robinson R-22B N8050B

Summary

On 28 March 1991 at about 19:45 local time, a Robinson R-22B registered N8050B, operated by Heliicopters International, was involved in an accident near Spring, Texas, United States. One person was on board and one 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 March 1991 at 19:45

Classification

Accident

Location

Spring, Texas, United States

Coordinates

30.0403, -95.5290

Aircraft

Robinson R-22B

Registration

N8050B

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Heliicopters International

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Instructional

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Tomball → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

FTW91LA053

1 person had minor injuries.

POWER LOSS DUE TO CARBURETOR ICE, THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO USE CARBURETOR HEAT, AND HIS FAILURE TO APPLY ADEQUATE CUSHIONING COLLECTIVE PITCH DURING THE FLARE SEGMENT OF THE AUTOROTATION. A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT'S IMPROPER AUTOROTATION TECHNIQUE.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

DURING A PARTIAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO CARBURETOR ICE, THE PILOT FAILED TO APPLY CARBURETOR HEAT IN AN EFFORT TO REGAIN POWER. DURING THE FORCED LANDING TO A RESIDENTIAL AREA THE STUDENT PILOT DID NOT APPLY APPROPRIATE COLLECTIVE CUSHIONING PITCH RESULTING IN THE HELICOPTER LANDING HARD AS THE TAIL ROTOR AND MAIN ROTOR STRUCK A TREE. TEMPERATURE/DEW POINT WERE 78/67 DEGREES RESPECTIVELY.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.