Robinson R22 N901KC

Summary

On 21 June 2017 at about 16:30 local time, a Robinson R22 registered N901KC, operated by Nelson Flyers Inc, was involved in an accident near Matagorda, 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

21 June 2017 at 16:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Matagorda, Texas, United States

Coordinates

28.7331, -96.0311

Aircraft

Robinson R22

Registration

N901KC

Category

Helicopter

Year built

1990

Engines

1

Operator

Nelson Flyers Inc

Operating rule

Part 137: Agricultural

Purpose of flight

Other Work Use

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Nelson Flyers → Matagorda

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

GAA17CA356

Nobody was injured.

The pilot’s failure to maintain helicopter control during an agricultural flight in gusting wind conditions.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot of the helicopter reported that, while flying downwind during rice field pollination operations, he "lost control" of the helicopter. The helicopter impacted the ground and rolled onto its right side. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the tailboom. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation. The automated weather observation station located about 12 miles west of the accident site reported that, about 37 minutes before the accident, the wind was from 360° at 19 knots, gusting to 26 knots. The same weather observation station reported that, about 23 minutes after the accident, the wind was from 360° at 18 knots, gusting to 26 knots.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.