Robinson R22 N2330Y

Summary

On 25 July 2008 at about 18:15 local time, a Robinson R22 registered N2330Y, operated by William T. Skinner, was involved in an accident near Rosharon, Texas, 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

25 July 2008 at 18:15

Classification

Accident

Location

Rosharon, Texas, United States

Coordinates

29.6333, -95.6167

Aircraft

Robinson R22

Registration

N2330Y

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

William T. Skinner

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Other Work Use

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Danbury → Rosharon

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

DFW08CA198

Nobody was injured.

The pilot's failure to maintain terrain clearance while maneuvering. Contributing to the accident was the low altitude.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot was maneuvering a single-engine helicopter at a low altitude over a rice field when the tail rotor "dipped into the rice causing it to fail." As a result, the pilot lost control of the helicopter and it impacted the ground hard on the skids causing the main rotor blade to flex down and sever the tail boom. When asked how this accident could have been prevented, the pilot said, "There is very little margin for error and no time to correct with the ground so close. There is a reason why operating in the shaded area is discouraged." He also reported that there were no mechanical deficiencies.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.