# Accident 20230514005369A: Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA, Brady, TX, May 14, 2023

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: May 14, 2023, 09:00 local time
- Place: Brady, TX
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Ground/Ramp/Ma
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 31.2259° N, 99.3586° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.2259&lon=-99.3586&mi=10
- Aircraft: N40506, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N40506) (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: ROBINSON HELICOPTER R22 BETA
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 1
- Other injuries: 0
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB CEN23FA183](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23FA183) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20230514005369A

## Narrative

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

PILOT PREPARED THE HELICOPTER FOR A GROUND TEST/RUN-UP ON A SMALL CONCRETE PAD TO THE NORTHEAST OF THE HOUSE, FACING SOUTH. AFTER THE ENGINE WAS STARTED, THE AIRCRAFT BEGAN TO MOVE AND SCRAPE ALONG THE CONCRETE PAD, TRAVELLING TO THE SOUTHWEST, TOWARD THE HOUSE (TURNING RIGHT FROM WHERE IT WAS ORIGINALLY FACING). IN A SERIES OF SMALL HOPS, THE HELICOPTER WAS APPARENTLY NOT UNDER POSITIVE CONTROL. THE HELICOPTER TRAVELLED 75 FEET AND THEN THE ROTOR STRUCK A PILE OF BRICKS, CAUSING THE HELICOPTER TO ROLL ONTO ITS RIGHT SIDE. THE PILOT WAS HALFWAY OUT OF THE HELICOPTER WHEN IT ROLLED OVER HIM, AND HE WAS TRAPPED UNDERNEATH WHERE THE AIRCRAFT CAME TO REST. THE PILOT WAS PINNED UNDERNEATH THE HELICOPTER WITH MAJOR INJURIES. THESE INJURIES CAUSED THE PILOT TO EXPIRE AT THE SCENE.

## 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 CEN23FA183](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23FA183), May 14, 2023: Robinson R22 Beta (N40506), Brady, TX, incident, substantial damage, 1 fatal. Probable cause: The non-certificated pilot’s failure to ensure the collective friction control was adequately engaged during an on-ground engine run, which resulted in the helicopter inadvertently becoming airborne.…

## Other reports on N40506 (1)

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

- [Incident 19940706029949I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940706029949I), Jul 6, 1994: Robsin R22BETA (N40506), Stow, MA, Minor damage. During quick stop maneuver on first solo over. Corrected lost lift and directional control.

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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