20010518008609A

(.19)On may 18, 2001, at 1000 central daylight time, a Robinson R22 helicopter, N7087X, was substantially damaged when it impacted trees and terrain following a loss of main rotor RPM while maneuvering near Raymondville, Texas. The commercial helicopter pilot and his pilot-rated passenger were not injured. The helicopter was registered to the pilot. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was filed for the 14 code of federal regulations part 91 personal flight. The local flight had departed a private ranch approximately 5 minutes prior to the accident. According to a telephone interview conducted by the NTSB investigator-in-charge, and a written statement provided by the pilot, the helicopter had been in flight for approximately 5 minutes prior to the main rotor blade RPM decrease. The pilot stated that the "clutch light" illuminated and the "low rotor horn sounded." The pilot entered an autorotation; however, he did "not have enough altitude" to clear some trees. The helicopter contacted the trees and impacted the ground "hard." According to the pilot and the FAA inspector, who responded to the accident, the helicopter sustained structural damage to the tail boom, the landing skids, and the horizontal stabilizer. The main rotor blades also sustained damage from contacting the trees. The pilot stated that the main rotor drive belts were separated from the drive wheels. (-23)on may 18, 2001, at approximately 1000 CDT, a 1998 Robinson R-22 helicopter, N7087X, owned and piloted by the pilot of privacy data omitted crashed in a field on the hacienda campo alegre ranch 12 miles east of Raymondville, Texas. The R-22 helicopter appears to have sustained substantial damage in the crash. At the time of the crash, there were two people on board, the pilot and a passenger, privacy data omitted. There was no damage or injury to persons on the ground. There was no fire. There was no NMAC.