Robinson R22 BETA N8057Z
24 August 1997 · Terrell, Texas, United States · Serious injuries
Summary
On 24 August 1997 at about 20:15 local time, a Robinson R22 BETA registered N8057Z, operated by Carl W. Houser, was involved in an accident near Terrell, Texas, United States. One person was on board and one was seriously 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 20:15
- Classification
- Accident
- Location
- Terrell, Texas, United States
- Coordinates
- 32.7291, -96.2892
- Aircraft
- Robinson R22 BETA
- Registration
- N8057Z
- Category
- Helicopter
- Engines
- 1
- Operator
- Carl W. Houser
- Operating rule
- Part 91: General Aviation
- Purpose of flight
- Instructional
- Phase of flight
- Not recorded
- Route
- Garland → Terrel
- Aircraft damage
- Substantial
- Weather
- VMC
- Light
- Day
- NTSB number
- FTW97LA327
People
1 person was seriously injured.
| On board | Died | Serious | Minor | Uninjured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Probable cause
the student pilot's premature flare for landing from an autorotation, and the ensuing loss of rotor rpm, which resulted in a hard landing. A factor relating to the accident was: partial loss of engine power for undetermined reason(s).
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.
Read the full NTSB narrative
The student was certificated as a single-engine land airplane pilot, and was taking instruction in a Robinson R22 helicopter. According to him, while on a solo cross-country flight, the helicopter began to experience engine vibrations with a loss of engine rpms. He initiated an autorotation to an open field, and approximately 40 feet above ground level, he began the landing flare, pulling up on the collective at the same time. He stated that he noticed 'the aircraft feeling funny,' and reduced 'some' of the collective. Approximately 8 feet above ground level, the helicopter 'just dropped' to the ground. The pilot received a back injury during the accident. He had difficulty egressing from the helicopter, noting that that his right side was numb. Examination of the engine revealed no abnormalities or deficiencies. The engine was placed on a test stand and operated for 15 minutes. The engine operated normally throughout all parameters.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.
Other Robinson R22 accidents
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 22 Nov 1997 | Robinson R22 BETA | Long Beach, California, United States | Jack Watson | No injuries | - |
| 27 Sep 1997 | Robinson R22 BETA | Huntsville, Texas, United States | - | Minor injuries | - |
| 6 Aug 1997 | Robinson R22 BETA | Willimantic, Connecticut, United States | Northeast Helicopter Inc. | No injuries | - |
| 17 Oct 1997 | Robinson R22 BETA | Pompano Beach, Florida, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 16 Dec 1997 | Robinson R22 BETA | Belle Vernon, Pennsylvania, United States | Airburst Helicopters Inc. | Fatal | 1 |
| 25 Jul 1997 | Robinson R22 BETA | Chandler, Arizona, United States | - | Serious injuries | - |
Other accidents in this area
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 23 Jun 1997 | Aero Commander CALLAIR A-9B | El Indio, Texas, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 25 Jun 1997 | Cessna 182Q | Sugar Land, Texas, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 25 Jun 1997 | Piper PA-28RT-201 | Whitewright, Texas, United States | Centerline Aviation, Inc. | No injuries | - |
| 30 Jun 1997 | Air Tractor AT-301 | Edna, Texas, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 29 Jun 1997 | Cessna 152 | Gorman, Texas, United States | Spencer Jones | Minor injuries | - |
| 2 Jul 1997 | Cessna 152 | Fort Worth, Texas, United States | Bridgeport Flight Training | Minor injuries | - |