Robinson R22 N372LE

Summary

On 10 April 2011 at about 03:30 local time, a Robinson R22 registered N372LE, operated by Performance Helicopters LLC, was involved in an accident near Lake Charles, Louisiana, 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

10 April 2011 at 03:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Lake Charles, Louisiana, United States

Nearest airport

Lake Charles Regional Airport (LCH)

Coordinates

30.1236, -93.2231

Aircraft

Robinson R22

Registration

N372LE

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Performance Helicopters LLC

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Instructional

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Lake Charles → Lake Charles

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Night/Dark

NTSB number

CEN11LA283

1 person had minor injuries.

The pilot's loss of control of the helicopter while in a hover.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The helicopter was in a stabilized hover into the wind on the approach end of the runway for about 15 to 20 seconds. The pilot was preparing to move the cyclic forward to start the helicopter into forward flight when the nose began a slight uncommanded turn to the right. The pilot added more left pedal, but the helicopter quickly picked up momentum and speed until the helicopter was spinning out of control. The pilot then lowered the collective pitch lever and the helicopter struck the runway surface, resulting in substantial damage. No preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures were found that would have precluded normal operation.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.