Robinson R22 BETA N337VH

Summary

On 5 June 2000 at about 17:01 local time, a Robinson R22 BETA registered N337VH was involved in an accident near Indiantown, Florida, 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

5 June 2000 at 17:01

Classification

Accident

Location

Indiantown, Florida, United States

Coordinates

27.0295, -80.4609

Aircraft

Robinson R22 BETA

Registration

N337VH

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Instructional

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Ft. Lauderdale → Pahokee

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ATL00LA059

Nobody was injured.

The student pilot's failure to maintain altitude clearance during initial climb following takeoff during the commission of a crime, resulting in an in-flight collision with a tree.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The student pilot planned a cross-country flight from Ft. Lauderdale to Pahokee, Florida, then to Stuart, Florida, with a final destination of Ft. Lauderdale. However, according to the Martin County Sheriff's Department, the pilot diverted to the Martin County Treatment Center in Indiantown, Florida. While hovering over the facility's recreation yard, he picked up a passenger who was an inmate at the center. During initial climb following takeoff, the helicopter struck a tree, then collided with the ground in a citrus grove 100 yards from the facility's perimeter.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.