Robinson R22 BETA II N926EL

Summary

On 24 September 2008 at about 21:30 local time, a Robinson R22 BETA II registered N926EL, operated by Richard R Snure, was involved in an accident near Flagstaff, Arizona, United States. One person was 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

24 September 2008 at 21:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Flagstaff, Arizona, United States

Coordinates

35.1383, -111.6711

Aircraft

Robinson R22 BETA II

Registration

N926EL

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Richard R Snure

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Flagstaff → Flagstaff

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

SEA08CA208

Nobody was injured.

The pilot's decision to attempt a takeoff in a high density altitude high gross weight condition that exceeded the takeoff performance capability of the helicopter. The pilot's failure to maintain adequate rotor rpm was also causal. Contributing factors were the high density altitude and the uneven high elevation terrain.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that due to the density altitude and the weight of the helicopter, he could not gain sufficient airspeed during the takeoff to climb. As the helicopter approached a tree line he initiated a left turn to avoid the trees after receiving a "low rotor" rpm warning. The pilot lowered collective and added throttle just before impacting rough, uneven terrain, which resulted in substantial damage to the helicopter. The pilot stated, "…it [the helicopter] was just too heavy and it was too hot, and the terrain was not level for a run on landing." The density altitude at the time of the accident was calculated to be 10,612 feet.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.