Robinson R22 BETA N74632

Summary

On 14 November 2009 at about 16:00 local time, a Robinson R22 BETA registered N74632, operated by Palm Beach Helicopters, was involved in an accident near Pahokee, Florida, United States. One person was on board and one had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

14 November 2009 at 16:00

Classification

Accident

Location

Pahokee, Florida, United States

Nearest airport

Palm Beach County Glades (PHK)

Coordinates

26.7911, -80.6894

Aircraft

Robinson R22 BETA

Registration

N74632

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Palm Beach Helicopters

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Okeechobee → Pahokee

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ERA10CA064

1 person had minor injuries.

The pilot’s failure to maintain control of the helicopter.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot stated that he had just landed and hover taxied to a fuel station. He established himself in a hover approximately 20 feet southwest of the fuel station, noting that the windsock indicated a strong quartering headwind. While he was hovering, he encountered a gust of wind. The helicopter began to yaw to the right and the nose lowered. The pilot was unable to regain control and the main rotor blades struck a concrete pole. The helicopter rolled onto its right side, substantially damaging the main rotor blades, fuselage, and tail. The winds recorded at closest reporting station about the time of the accident were from 020 degrees at 11 knots, with gusts to 15 knots.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.