Robinson R22 BETA N2346J
17 June 1994 · Elizabethtown, Kentucky, United States · No injuries
Summary
On 17 June 1994 at about 16:00 local time, a Robinson R22 BETA registered N2346J, operated by J. R. Aviation, was involved in an accident near Elizabethtown, Kentucky, 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.
The record
- Date
- at 16:00
- Classification
- Accident
- Location
- Elizabethtown, Kentucky, United States
- Coordinates
- 37.6992, -85.8708
- Aircraft
- Robinson R22 BETA
- Registration
- N2346J
- Category
- Helicopter
- Engines
- 1
- Operator
- J. R. Aviation
- Operating rule
- Part 91: General Aviation
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
- Phase of flight
- Not recorded
- Aircraft damage
- Substantial
- Weather
- VMC
- Light
- Day
- NTSB number
- BFO94LA105
People
Nobody was injured.
| On board | Died | Serious | Minor | Uninjured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
Probable cause
THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL. A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS: THE HELICOPTER WAS OUTSIDE THE HEIGHT-VELOCITY ENVELOPE (FOR A SUCCESSFUL AUTOROTATION), WHEN LOSS OF DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OCCURRED.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.
Read the full NTSB narrative
THE PILOT AND PASSENGER WERE DEPARTING FROM A LOT THAT WAS SURROUNDED BY OBSTRUCTIONS. ACCORDING TO THE PILOT, HE TOOK OFF IN A HOVER, THEN AS THE HELICOPTER WAS PASSING TREES AT ABOUT 70 FEET AND 30 TO 35 KNOTS, IT BEGAN SPINNING TO THE RIGHT. HE SAID HE TRIED TO STOP THE TURNING WITH LEFT PEDAL, WHICH DID NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM. HE ENTERED AN AUTOROTATION TO A ROAD. DURING THE AUTOROTATIVE LANDING, THE HELICOPTER TOUCHED DOWN HARD, DAMAGING THE UNDERSIDE OF THE AIRFRAME. ACCORDING TO WITNESSES, THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES CLIPPED A TREE, BUT NO BLADE DAMAGE WAS REPORTED. POST-ACCIDENT EXAMINATION REVEALED NO PREIMPACT MECHANICAL DISCREPANCIES. ACCORDING TO THE HEIGHT-VELOCITY DIAGRAM IN THE R22 OPERATING HANDBOOK, DIRECTIONAL CONTROL WAS LOST WHEN THE HELICOPTER WAS OUTSIDE THE AREA FOR THE 'RECOMMENDED TAKE-OFF PROFILE' (AIRSPEED/ALTITUDE ENVELOPE FOR A SUCCESSFUL AUTOROTATION).
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.
Other Robinson R22 accidents
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 19 May 1994 | Robinson R22-B | Stockton, California, United States | David L. Heath | Minor injuries | - |
| 14 Oct 1994 | Robinson R22 BETA | Eunice, Louisiana, United States | - | Fatal | 1 |
| 24 Sep 1993 | Robinson R22 BETA | Wildomar, California, United States | - | Fatal | 2 |
| 19 Sep 1993 | Robinson R22 | Scottdale, Pennsylvania, United States | Robert B. Davis | No injuries | - |
| 7 Feb 1993 | Robinson R22 BETA | Bend, Oregon, United States | Puget Sound Helicopter | Minor injuries | - |
| 7 May 1995 | Robinson R22 BETA | Miami, Florida, United States | ACE Helicopter Corp. | No injuries | - |
Other accidents in this area
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Sep 1994 | Piper PA-28R-180 | Vine Grove, Kentucky, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 18 Jan 1994 | Cessna 425 | London, Kentucky, United States | Conquest Charter Corp. | Serious injuries | - |
| 9 Nov 1994 | Cessna 150L | Dawson Springs, Kentucky, United States | - | Minor injuries | - |
| 2 Apr 1994 | Cessna 182A | Berea, Kentucky, United States | Thunderbird Sport Parachute CL | Serious injuries | - |
| 26 Apr 1994 | Cameron ET-90 | Louisville, Kentucky, United States | Brown Foreman Beverage Company | Minor injuries | - |
| 15 Aug 1994 | Cessna 172 | Fisherville, Kentucky, United States | Darnell, Harold | No injuries | - |