Robinson R22 BETA N80140

Summary

On 3 October 2012 at about 20:40 local time, a Robinson R22 BETA registered N80140, operated by Glacier Aviation, Inc., was involved in an accident near Rockport, Washington, 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

3 October 2012 at 20:40

Classification

Accident

Location

Rockport, Washington, United States

Nearest airport

Skagit Regional Airport (BVS)

Coordinates

48.9186, -121.3528

Aircraft

Robinson R22 BETA

Registration

N80140

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Glacier Aviation, Inc.

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Business

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Burlington → Burlington

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

WPR13LA003

Nobody was injured.

The pilot's failure to maintain sufficient rotor rpm during a precautionary landing, which resulted in a hard landing.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that while maneuvering, the helicopter’s clutch caution light illuminated. The pilot initiated a precautionary descent and began to slow the helicopter in an effort to locate a clearing in the trees. The clutch caution light was still on after 10 to 12 seconds, so the pilot instructed his passenger to pull the circuit breaker. The pilot spotted a clearing, and shortly thereafter the low rotor rpm warning light illuminated and the horn sounded. The pilot lowered the collective and headed for a landing spot. About 20 to 30 feet above ground level, the pilot flared the helicopter and used the remaining collective control input the last 3 to 5 feet. The helicopter subsequently landed hard in high brush surrounded by tall trees. During the postaccident examination, bench testing of the clutch actuator revealed that the actuator operated normally and within specified limitations. Further examination of the actuator motor found no anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. The reason for the illumination of the clutch light could not be determined.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.