Robinson R-22 BETA II N7196J

Summary

On 14 October 2005 at about 18:45 local time, a Robinson R-22 BETA II registered N7196J was involved in an accident near Eagar, Arizona, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 died. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

14 October 2005 at 18:45

Classification

Accident

Location

Eagar, Arizona, United States

Coordinates

34.0600, -109.5019

Aircraft

Robinson R-22 BETA II

Registration

N7196J

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Springerville → Chandler

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

LAX06LA006

2 people died.

The pilots' inadequate in-flight planning, which led the helicopter toward rising terrain in excess of the performance capability of the helicopter. Contributing factors were the high density altitude, and the rapidly rising terrain.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The helicopter impacted trees and terrain on the north side of a mountain slope as it presumably attempted to clear the rising terrain. Witnesses at the departure airport reported that they observed the pilots conduct a flight plan and obtain a weather briefing. The pilots had 13 gallons of fuel added to the helicopter and mentioned that they did not want the fuel tanks topped off due to the elevation. Witnesses observed the helicopter lift off the ground and wobble from side-to-side. The helicopter then settled to the ground and one of the skids made ground contact. The helicopter spun around 180 degrees and the helicopter lifted back up into the air. During the 180-degree rotation, the main rotor blade narrowly missed contacting the ground. The helicopter then settled back to the ground, narrowly missing ground contact with the tail rotors. The helicopter sat on the ground idling for a while before it lifted off again. The witnesses then observed the helicopter takeoff and climb slowly toward the mountains situated to the southwest of the airport. One witness commented that the helicopter was not climbing all that well. Post-accident examination of the wreckage revealed no anomalies with the helicopter systems or engine that would have led to the accident. The density altitude at the accident site was calculated as 10,219 feet and the helicopter was near its maximum gross weight around the time of the accident. Both pilots were certificated to fly the helicopter and both had similar flight experience, but neither had flown the mountainous route before. Toxicology findings for the left seat pilot were consistent with recent use of diazepam.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.