# Accident 20100715045469A: Robinson He R22 BETA, Melbourne, FL, July 15, 2010

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: July 15, 2010, 16:00 local time
- Place: Melbourne, FL
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Takeoff: Climb Out
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 28.0922° N, 80.7811° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.0922&lon=-80.7811&mi=10
- Aircraft: N74603, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N74603-2012-01-21) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA (registry code 7640110, https://openairdocs.org/model/robinson-helicopter-r22-beta) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming O-360 series (registry code 41575, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-360-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ROBINSON HE R22 BETA
- Reported engine: LYCOMING O-360 SERIES
- People aboard: 2
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Commercial pilot, flight instructor
- Pilot flight hours: 13,000 total, 5,000 in this make and model, 80 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB ERA10LA361](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA10LA361) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20100715045469A

## Narrative

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

WHILE PERFORMING AERIAL OBSERVATION, DURING TAKE OFF CLIMB HEADING TO THE N.E. ATTAINING AN ALTITUDE OF ABOUT 100 FEET, THEY HEARD A LOUD POP FOLLOWED BY LOSS OF POWER, THE CLUTCH LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND EXTINGUISHED, WITHIN SECONDS THE LIGHT CAME BACK ON CAUSING ENGINE & ROTOR TACH SEPARATION. THEY STARTED A STEADY DECENT AT ABOUT A 35-45 DEGREE ANGLE. THE PILOT INDUCED A AUTO ROTATION, THE HELICOPTER HIT THE GROUND IN THE PASTURE APPROXIMATELY 1400 FEET FROM TAKEOFF. THE HELICOPTER SPUN AROUND ON IMPACT. DURING FURTHER INSPECTION IT APPEARS THE HELICOPTER SUSTAINED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE TO THE TRANSITION SECTION CAUSING BUCKLING AT THE HINGE HALF. THE TAIL BOOM DIS-LODGED AND WAS LOCATED ABOUT 70 FEET FROM THE CRASH SITE. THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES BUCKLED & THE SKIDS WERE SEVERLY DAMAGED.

## 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 ERA10LA361](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA10LA361), Jul 15, 2010: Robinson Helicopter R22 Beta (N74603), West Melbourne, FL, substantial damage. Probable cause: Separation of the main rotor drive belts due to maintenance personnel’s failure to adequately inspect the upper drive sheave prior to installing the belts.

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.

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