Robinson R22-BETA N131MH

Summary

On 20 July 2003 at about 13:55 local time, a Robinson R22-BETA registered N131MH, operated by Morton Helicopters, was involved in an accident near Flint, Michigan, 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.

Date

20 July 2003 at 13:55

Classification

Accident

Location

Flint, Michigan, United States

Nearest airport

Flint Bishop (FNT)

Coordinates

42.9656, -83.7433

Aircraft

Robinson R22-BETA

Registration

N131MH

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Morton Helicopters

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Flint → Waterford

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CHI03FA218

1 person was seriously injured.

The loss of engine power for undetermined reasons, and the pilot's inadequate decision to land on an unsuitable area.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The helicopter sustained substantial damage during a run on landing to the grass infield of the Bishop International Airport (FNT), Flint, Michigan, after the pilot reported he was having difficulties with the helicopter's "vertical pitch" during climbout. The pilot reported that during climbout at about 200-300 feet agl and about 3,000 feet from the approach end of a 7,848 foot runway, the engine was not producing enough lift. The pilot chose to execute a run on landing to the grass infield instead of landing straight ahead on the remaining runway. The ground was rough and the helicopter cartwheeled during the run on landing. The air traffic controller had cleared the pilot to land wherever he needed to land. The helicopter had a total of 56.8 hours since new. The inspection of the airframe, flight controls, and drive train revealed no pre-existing anomalies that would have precluded normal operation of the helicopter. The engine was put on a test stand and an engine run was conducted. The engine met all the parameters specified in the Lycoming "Production Manual Engine Test Log." The pilot reported that he should have landed on the runway, but he landed on the grass because he did not know where the other aircraft was behind him. He reported that he did not want to be a problem, and if he was the only aircraft in the pattern he would have landed on the runway.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.