Robinson R-22 N2312

Summary

On 29 August 2008 at about 23:00 local time, a Robinson R-22 registered N2312, operated by Coastal Bend Helicopter Services LLC, was involved in an accident near Refugio, Texas, 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

29 August 2008 at 23:00

Classification

Accident

Location

Refugio, Texas, United States

Nearest airport

Not Applicable (N/A)

Coordinates

28.3656, -97.1119

Aircraft

Robinson R-22

Registration

N2312

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Coastal Bend Helicopter Services LLC

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Aerial Observation

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Refugio → Refugio

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

DEN08CA148

Nobody was injured.

The pilot failed to maintain adequate airspeed while maneuvering to land.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot and non-rated passenger were conducting a wildlife survey of a ranch. According to the pilot he was maneuvering to land on a ranch road at about 50-60 feet and turned into the wind. During the turn he got too slow and the low rotor horn sounded and the low rotor light illuminated. He was unable to recover the descent or go around, resulting in a hard landing. During the landing a main rotor contacted the tail boom. An examination of the helicopter revealed the tail boom separated from the fuselage.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.