# Accident 20241027015971A: Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA, Pearland, TX, October 27, 2024

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: October 27, 2024, 08:35 local time
- Place: Pearland, TX
- Airport: Pearland Regional
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Collision: Collision on the ground
- Phase of flight: Other, Specify
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 29.5213° N, 95.2421° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.5213&lon=-95.2421&mi=10
- Aircraft: N7521Z, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7521Z) (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 HELICOPTER R22 BETA
- Reported engine: LYCOMING O-360 SERIES
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 1
- Pilot certificates: Private pilot
- Pilot flight hours: 492 total, 181 in this make and model, 12 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB CEN25LA031](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN25LA031) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20241027015971A

## Narrative

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

DURING TAKEOFF FROM HELICOPTER PAD AT PEARLAND REGIONAL AIRPORT, PILOT LOST CONTROL OF HELICOPTER RESULTING IN CRASH IN WHICH THE AIRCRAFT SUSTAINED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE.  VIDEO FOOTAGE INDICATES THAT UPON THE PILOT APPLYING POWER FOR LIFTOFF THE HELICOPTER SLIDES TO THE RIGHT.  THE RIGHT SKID THEN EITHER CATCHES ON THE CONCRETE OR THE PILOT PROVIDES INPUT TO STOP THE RIGHT SLIDE CAUSING THE HELICOPTER TO BANK ABRUPTLY TO THE LEFT AND COMMENCE A SPIN TO THE RIGHT AT ABOUT FIVE FEET ABOVE GROUND LEVEL.  THE NOSE OF THE HELICOPTER PITCHES UPWARD AND THE TAIL ROTOR APPEARS TO COME EXTREMELY CLOSE TO IMPACTING THE GROUND.  THE HELICOPTER THEN PITCHES NOSE DOWN WHILE CONTINUING TO SPIN TO THE RIGHT WITH THE TAIL ROTOR AGAIN APPEARING TO COME EXTREMELY CLOSE TO IMPACTING THE GROUND BUT STILL APPEARS TO BE INTACT AND ROTATING.  THE HELICOPTER CONTINUES IN A RIGHT SPIN, BANKING TO THE LEFT.  THE HELICOPTER PITCHES NOSE-UP CAUSING THE AFT PORTION OF THE SKIDS AND TAIL ROTOR TO IMPACT THE GROUND WITH THE TAIL ROTOR DEPARTING THE AIRCRAFT AT THIS TIME.  THE HELICOPTER CONTINUES TO SPIN, UPRIGHT, ON ITS SKIDS, THREE REVOLUTIONS BEFORE THE TAIL SECTION IMPACTS A PARKED CESSNA AIRCRAFT STOPPING THE HELICOPTER FROM SPINNING.  THE HELICOPTER REMAINED UPRIGHT, ON ITS SKIDS, AND THE PILOT IS OBSERVED SECURING ENGINE POWER AND SAFELY EXITING THE AIRCRAFT.

THE CESSNA 150M THE HELICOPTER COLLIDED WITH WAS PARKED AND TIED DOWN IN FRONT OF A HANGAR ON THE PERIMETER OF THE TARMAC AND DOES NOT HAVE A CURRENT REGISTRATION.

## 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 CEN25LA031](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN25LA031), Oct 27, 2024: Robinson Helicopter R22 Beta (N7521Z), Pearland, TX, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain control of the helicopter during lift off.

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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