Robinson R-22B N2365S

Summary

On 11 July 2000 at about 14:05 local time, a Robinson R-22B registered N2365S was involved in an accident near Harpswell, Maine, United States. 2 people were 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.

Date

11 July 2000 at 14:05

Classification

Accident

Location

Harpswell, Maine, United States

Coordinates

Not recorded

Aircraft

Robinson R-22B

Registration

N2365S

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Unknown

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

South Harpswell → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

NYC00LA191

1 person was seriously injured.

The pilot-in-command's improper in-flight decision to maneuver at a low airspeed with a left-quartering tailwind which resulted in a loss of tailrotor effectiveness.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot was traveling forward in a Robinson R22B at an airspeed of 10 to 20 knots, and an altitude of 230 feet above the ground, with a 15 to 21 knot left-quartering tailwind. The helicopter began to rotate to the right. After three rotations the pilot was unable to recover, and the helicopter impacted terrain. FAA Advisory Circular (AC) 90-95 stated that loss of tailrotor effectiveness (LTE) was a critical, low-speed aerodynamic flight characteristic which could result in an uncommanded rapid yaw rate, and loss of aircraft control. It also stated that all single main rotor helicopters were susceptible to loss of tail rotor effectiveness (LTE). The AC advised pilots that when maneuvering between hover and 30 knots to avoid: left crosswinds, tailwinds, and high power settings at low airspeeds.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.