# Accident 20140827016299A: Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA, Gardnerville, NV, August 27, 2014

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: August 27, 2014, 12:30 local time
- Place: Gardnerville, NV
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Takeoff: Climb Out
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 38.7510° N, 119.6092° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.7510&lon=-119.6092&mi=10
- Aircraft: N4187W, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4187W-2016-02-08) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA (registry code 7640110, https://openairdocs.org/model/robinson-helicopter-r22-beta) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming O-360-J2A (registry code 42314, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-360-j2a) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ROBINSON HELICOPTER R22 BETA
- Reported engine: LYCOMING O-360-J2A
- People aboard: 2
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 2
- Pilot certificates: Private pilot
- Pilot flight hours: 1,900 total, 25 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB WPR14LA356](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR14LA356) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20140827016299A

## Narrative

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

PILOT STATED THAT DURING TAKE-OFF AT AN ALTITUDE OF 20 FEET AGL, HE HEARD A LOUD BANG IN THE TAIL ROTOR AREA THEN HE BEGAN TO SPIN TO THE RIGHT THEN ROLLED APPROXIMATELY TWO (2) TIMES AND CAME TO REST UPRIGHT WITH THE TAIL BOOM MISSING FROM THE MAIN FUSELAGE, AND BROKEN WINDSHIELD.

INVESTIGATION SHOWED SIGNS THAT THE HELICOPTER FORWARD LANDING GEAR STRUTS HAD CONTACTED A CABLE, THE COMPLETE TAIL BOOM SECTION WAS SEPARATED FROM THE MAIN FUSELAGE. HOWEVER THE TAIL ROTOR SYSTEM, TRANSMISSION, TAIL ROTOR BLADES AND ASSOCIATED PARTS/LINKAGES, WAS INTACT AND APPROXIMATELY 15 FEET OF THE MAIN WRECKAGE.

BROKEN CABLES AND A (TROLLEY SYSTEM) WERE FOUND AT THE ACCIDENT SITE, THE CABLES WERE PULLED IN THE DIRECTION TOWARD THE HELICOPTER.

PILOT HAD MINOR INJURIES; PASSENGER WAS REPORTED TO HAVE BROKEN RIBS.

AIRCRAFT SUSTAINED MAJOR DAMAGE.

## 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 WPR14LA356](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR14LA356), Aug 27, 2014: Robinson Helicopter R22 Beta (N4187W), Gardnerville, NV, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to monitor the environment and to maintain clearance from wires during takeoff.

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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