Robinson R22 BETA N137DF

Summary

On 6 June 2013 at about 22:30 local time, a Robinson R22 BETA registered N137DF, operated by Bratcher Aviation, LLC, was involved in an accident near New Braunfels, Texas, United States. 2 people were 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

6 June 2013 at 22:30

Classification

Accident

Location

New Braunfels, Texas, United States

Coordinates

29.6383, -98.0333

Aircraft

Robinson R22 BETA

Registration

N137DF

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Bratcher Aviation, LLC

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Aerial Observation

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

New Braunfels → New Braunfels

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CEN13LA325

1 person had minor injuries.

The pilot's improper flare during an autorotation, which resulted in a hard landing, and a partial loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined because the examination of the engine did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that, after completing a low pass and while in a climbing right turn, he heard the engine "sputter" and then noted that both the engine and main rotor speeds had dropped. The pilot stated that he entered an autorotation to a field because there was not enough altitude to fully recover from the partial loss of engine power. The helicopter bounced during the initial collision with terrain. A postaccident examination of the helicopter and an operational test run of the engine did not reveal any preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have prevented normal operation.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.