Robinson R22B N8141L

Summary

On 24 February 1996 at about 19:15 local time, a Robinson R22B registered N8141L was involved in an accident near Garland, 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

24 February 1996 at 19:15

Classification

Accident

Location

Garland, Texas, United States

Nearest airport

Garland/Dfw Heliplex (T57)

Coordinates

32.8804, -96.6497

Aircraft

Robinson R22B

Registration

N8141L

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

FTW96LA131

Nobody was injured.

Failure of the pilot to maintain sufficient altitude and tail rotor clearance from the terrain, while demonstrating rearward movement in a hover.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

While hovering, the pilot decided to demonstrate rearward hover to his passenger. The helicopter was less than five feet above ground level when the tail rotor contacted the ground. When the tail rotor struck the ground, directional control was lost, and the aircraft began to rotate to the right and roll left. The left skid contacted the ground causing the helicopter to roll to an inverted position. The pilot reported no mechanical problems with the aircraft.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.