Robinson R-22 BETA N4002M

Summary

On 16 February 2001 at about 04:15 local time, a Robinson R-22 BETA registered N4002M was involved in an accident near Borger, Texas, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 died. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

16 February 2001 at 04:15

Classification

Accident

Location

Borger, Texas, United States

Nearest airport

Borger Hutchinson County (BGD)

Coordinates

35.6103, -101.3892

Aircraft

Robinson R-22 BETA

Registration

N4002M

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Gruver → Amarillo

Aircraft damage

Destroyed

Weather

IMC

Light

Night

NTSB number

FTW01FA069

2 people died.

the pilot's inadvertent flight into instrument meteorological conditions and failure to maintain obstacle clearance. Contributing factors were the pilot's failure to obtain an updated preflight weather briefing and the dark night conditions.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The non-instrument rated private pilots did not obtain a weather briefing or file a flight plan for the night cross-country flight. During dark night conditions, a witness observed the helicopter descending from the clouds following a highway. The helicopter appeared to be at a height just above a 285-foot tall radio tower. Approximately 5 miles south of the radio tower, the helicopter struck an electrical pole, impacted terrain, and came to rest adjacent to an oil pump jack. A weather study revealed that the accident site was in an area of low ceilings and restricted visibility. During examination of the helicopter, no anomalies were found with the engine or airframe that would have precluded normal flight operations.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.