# Accident 20030603017759A: Robsin R22BETA, Montpelier, VA, June 3, 2003

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: June 3, 2003, 11:03 local time
- Place: Montpelier, VA
- Damage: Destroyed
- Phase of flight: Normal Cruise
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 37.7878° N, 77.7203° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.7878&lon=-77.7203&mi=10
- Aircraft: N23428, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N23428-2006-04-24) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA (registry code 7640110, https://openairdocs.org/model/robinson-helicopter-r22-beta) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming 0-320 series (registry code 41508, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ROBSIN R22BETA
- People aboard: 2
- Fatal injuries: 2
- Pilot flight hours: 423 total, 349 in this make and model, 29 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB IAD03FA056](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD03FA056) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030603017759A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

(-23) ON JUNE 3, 2003, APPROXIMATELY 11:03 AM EASTERN DAYLIGHT TIME, A R-22 BETA, N23428, WAS DESTROYED DURING A ROUTINE POWER LINE PATROL FOR RAPPAHANNOCK ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE IN HANOVER COUNTY NEAR THE TOWN OF MONTPELIER, VIRGINIA (COORDINATES 37 DEGREES 11.03N 79 DEGREES 37.14W). THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND AND PASSENGER WERE FATALLY INJURED. DAY VISUAL METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS WITH CALM WINDS PREVAILED AND WERE NOT CONTRIBUTORY TO THE ACCIDENT. A VFR FLIGHT PLAN WAS NOT FILED FOR THE 14 CFR PART 91 FLIGHT. THE PILOT WAS CURRENT AND QUALIFIED TO FLY THE AIRCRAFT. THE AIRCRAFT DEPARTED SHANNON AIRPORT (EZF) FREDERICKSBURG, VIRGINIA, AT APPROXIMATELY 9:25 AM EASTERN DAYLIGHT TIME. BOTH THE MAIN AND RESERVE TANKS WERE FILLED TO CAPACITY PRIOR TO TAKE-OFF. WITH THE TANKS FILLED, THE AIRCRAFT HAS BEEN CALCULATED TO HAVE BEEN AT LEAST 100 LBS OVER MAXIMUM GROSS WEIGHT AT THE TIME OF TAKE-OFF. THE HELICOPTER HAD NO KNOWN DISCREPANCIES NOTED. INVESTIGATION AT THE ACCIDENT SITE DETERMINED THE WRECKAGE WAS CONFINED TO APPROXIMATELY A 50-FOOT RADIUS AROUND THE MAIN PORTION OF THE AIRCRAFT. THE AIRCRAFT HAD DESCENDED WITH POWER VERTICALLY THROUGH DENSE WOODS. NTSB AND MANUFACTURER REPRESENTATIVESCONFIRMED THAT THE AIRCRAFT HAD NO SIGNIFICANT DISCREPANCIES PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT. THE PILOT DID NOT REPORT ANY MECHANICAL PROBLEMS WITH THE AIRCRAFT AND HAD 423 TOTAL FLIGHT HOURS WITH 349 HOURS IN THE ROBINSON.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB IAD03FA056](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD03FA056), Jun 3, 2003: Robinson R-22 Beta (N23428), Montpelier, VA, substantial damage, 2 fatal. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain adequate main rotor rpm while maneuvering at a low altitude.

## Other reports on N23428 (1)

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.

- [Incident 19960706016339I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960706016339I), Jul 6, 1996: Robsin R22BETA (N23428), Littleton, NC, Minor damage. Narrative: pilot stated in phone interview that after refueling helicopter with a total of 30 gallons, he and his passenger departed a backyard located in the…

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.