Robinson R66 N38SL

Summary

On 7 June 2016 at about 22:30 local time, a Robinson R66 registered N38SL was involved in an accident near Beaumont, Texas, United States. One person was 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

7 June 2016 at 22:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Beaumont, Texas, United States

Coordinates

30.0019, -94.1772

Aircraft

Robinson R66

Registration

N38SL

Category

Helicopter

Year built

2013

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Beaumont → Beaumont

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

GAA16CA290

Nobody was injured.

The non-pilot owner's decision to start the helicopter while awaiting the pilot's arrival, which resulted in a loss of yaw control and a rollover.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The owner of the helicopter, who did not hold a pilot certificate, reported that he followed the manufacture checklist and started the helicopter as he awaited the arrival of his pilot. He further reported that as the main rotor reached "idle speed" the helicopter spun to the right and rolled over, which resulted in substantial damage to the main rotor drive shaft and tail boom. The owner's pilot did not witness the accident and did not authorize the owner's actions. The owner did not report any mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.