Robinson R22 BETA N7198H

Summary

On 12 June 2003 at about 14:30 local time, a Robinson R22 BETA registered N7198H was involved in an accident near Houston, Texas, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 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

12 June 2003 at 14:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Houston, Texas, United States

Coordinates

29.8833, -95.8333

Aircraft

Robinson R22 BETA

Registration

N7198H

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Instructional

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Houston → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

FTW03LA172

2 people had minor injuries.

The pilot's failure to maintain rotor RPM and the improper landing flare resulting in a hard landing. A contributing factor was the prevailing high winds.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

Upon completion of the pipeline patrol flight, while returning to DWH airport, the flight instructor rolled the throttle to flight idle to simulate a loss of engine power. The student pilot lowered the collective and initiated an autorotation to an open field, into the prevailing strong southerly wind. A high rate of descent developed during the autorotation and during the ensuing landing, the helicopter landed hard and bounced, which resulted in the separating of the tail boom from the fuselage. Winds were reported from 180 degrees at 16 knots, gusting to 21 knots. Despite repeated attempts by the investigator-in-charge (IIC), the pilot never returned a completed Pilot Operator Aircraft Accident Report Form (NTSB Form 6120.1/2).

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.