Robinson R22 BETA N681MP

Summary

On 3 August 2002 at about 18:30 local time, a Robinson R22 BETA registered N681MP was involved in an accident near Cornudas, Texas, United States. One person was on board and one had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

3 August 2002 at 18:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Cornudas, Texas, United States

Coordinates

31.7900, -105.7117

Aircraft

Robinson R22 BETA

Registration

N681MP

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Positioning

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

El Paso → Midland

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

FTW02LA227

1 person had minor injuries.

The pilot's failure to maintain rotor RPM and his improper landing flare. A contributing factor was the activation of a warning light.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The 3,053-hour pilot reported that he was ferrying the helicopter to its new owner. The pilot stated that while in cruise flight, at 1,000 feet AGL, the helicopter's clutch light flickered then went out. Approximately one minute later, the clutch light flickered again and went out. The pilot elected to land the helicopter. The pilot entered an autorotation, slowed the aircraft to 65 knots, and made a 180-degree left turn. After the helicopter stopped its turn, and as it descended to approximately 200 feet AGL, the helicopter encountered a "high sink rate." As the helicopter descended through 150 feet AGL, the pilot rolled on throttle, rejoined the needles, and increased collective pitch. The aircraft continued to descend abnormally, and the pilot stated the airspeed was 60 knots. The pilot further increased collective, and by 50 feet AGL, the helicopter began to "shudder." The pilot began to flare the aircraft, and it touched down "hard," bounced, and touched down again. The left landing skid folded out and up, and the helicopter slid approximately 30 to 40 feet before coming to rest on its right side. Examination of the clutch assembly, actuator assembly, and Vee belts revealed no anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.