20160623010579A

Accident · Destroyed

FAA accident report · Robinson Helicopter R66 · Wikieup, AZ · June 23, 2016

Date: June 23, 2016 · 14:18 local
Place: Wikieup, AZ
Phase of flight: Cruise/Level Flight
Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
Operator: G30S
Damage: Destroyed
Aircraft: N117TW
NTSB investigation: NTSBWPR16FA130
Reported as: Robinson Helicopter R66
Reported engine: Rolls-Royce 250-C300
People aboard: 2
Fatal injuries: 2
Other injuries: 0
Pilot’s certificates: Commercial pilot, flight instructor
Pilot’s flight hours: 5,441 total160 in this make and model102 in the last 90 days

N117TWRegistration cancelled Oct 12, 2016 · Robinson Helicopter R66S/N 0042 · Built 2011 Airframe modelRobinson Helicopter R66 Engine modelRolls-Royce 250-C300 seriesTurbo-shaft

From the FAA’s Accident/Incident Data System (AIDS), through its Aviation Safety Information Portal, as reported. The NTSB investigates accidents separately, and its record of an accident is the fuller one. The aircraft is matched to the registry 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.

What happened

The FAA’s narrative, in sentence case. The FAA writes it in capitals and removes private details.

On June 23, 2016, at about 14:18L, a robertson R66, N117TW, piloted by two ATP rated pilots,crashed near Wikieup, AZ. The aircraft broke up in flight and wreckage was spread over ½ mile. The cabin area was destroyed by a post-crash fire. VFR conditions prevailed. Both pilots were killed. Post-accident investigation did not reveal any mechanical issues prior to crash.

As the FAA filed it

ON JUNE 23, 2016, AT ABOUT 14:18L, A ROBERTSON R66, N117TW, PILOTED BY TWO ATP RATED PILOTS,CRASHED NEAR WIKIEUP, AZ. THE AIRCRAFT BROKE UP IN FLIGHT AND WRECKAGE WAS SPREAD OVER ½ MILE. THE CABIN AREA WAS DESTROYED BY A POST-CRASH FIRE. VFR CONDITIONS PREVAILED. BOTH PILOTS WERE KILLED. POST-ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION DID NOT REVEAL ANY MECHANICAL ISSUES PRIOR TO CRASH.

NTSB investigation

The NTSB’s investigation of this event, with its probable cause and findings. Matched to this report by N-number and date.

NTSB WPR16FA130Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportWikieup, AZAn encounter with turbulence due to updrafts and/or dust devils that resulted in mast bumping and an in-flight break-up.Jun 23, 2016 · Destroyed