Robinson R22 N90764

Summary

On 20 March 2009 at about 23:00 local time, a Robinson R22 registered N90764, operated by Airfotos LLC, was involved in an accident near Prescott, Arizona, 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

20 March 2009 at 23:00

Classification

Accident

Location

Prescott, Arizona, United States

Coordinates

34.6997, -112.6708

Aircraft

Robinson R22

Registration

N90764

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Airfotos LLC

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Business

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Prescott → Prescott

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

WPR09LA160

Nobody was injured.

The pilot's failure to maintain adequate main rotor rpm while maneuvering at a low altitude.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot was circling over a residential structure to allow his passenger to take photographs. He descended to 50 feet above ground level and slowed to about 40 to 50 knots indicated airspeed. The pilot said that near the completion of the second circle, he "felt and heard something," then observed the engine rpm and rotor rpm decaying along with the activation of the low rotor rpm horn and warning light. The pilot stated that "it may have been that what I felt and heard was a reaction to the downwind heading." The pilot lowered the collective and added power; however, due to his low operating altitude, the corrections did not have time to take effect before the helicopter impacted the terrain. The pilot reported the wind from 210 degrees at 10 knots gusting to 15 knots. The closest airport reported wind from 180 degrees at 7 knots, variable from 150 to 210 degrees. Robinson Safety Notice SN-34, "PHOTO FLIGHTS – VERY HIGH RISK," states, in part: "While maneuvering, the pilot may lose track of airspeed and wind conditions. The helicopter can rapidly lose translational lift and begin to settle." A postaccident engine run was conducted and the engine ran normally with no mechanical problems.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.