Robinson R22 BETA N75262

Summary

On 15 October 2006 at about 15:19 local time, a Robinson R22 BETA registered N75262, operated by Earl A. Wheatly, was involved in an accident near Hope, New Mexico, United States. 2 people were on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

15 October 2006 at 15:19

Classification

Accident

Location

Hope, New Mexico, United States

Nearest airport

Artesia (ATS)

Coordinates

33.0100, -104.8900

Aircraft

Robinson R22 BETA

Registration

N75262

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Earl A. Wheatly

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Aerial Observation

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Felix River Rch → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

DEN07CA009

Nobody was injured.

the pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control. Contributing factors in this accident included the sudden wind shift and high density altitude, resulting in the helicopter settling with power, and the high vegetation.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot, who was conducting a wildlife survey, said he made a pedal turn "to look at something." He encountered what he thought was a reduction in rotor blade RPM, and descended towards the south downslope of a hill. He said the wind had changed direction from out of the north, and he experienced settling with power due to density altitude, power available, and adverse wind conditions. He made a run-on landing. The helicopter struck a clump of bushes and rolled over.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.