# Accident 20251021021669A: Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA, Springfield, MO, October 21, 2025

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: October 21, 2025, 01:10 local time
- Place: Springfield, MO
- Damage: Destroyed
- Phase of flight: Landing: Approach
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 37.2208° N, 93.2477° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.2208&lon=-93.2477&mi=10
- Aircraft: N74583, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N74583) (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: 2
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 2
- Pilot certificates: Commercial pilot, flight instructor
- Pilot flight hours: 906 total, 293 in this make and model, 178 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB CEN26LA027](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN26LA027) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20251021021669A

## Narrative

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

ON OCTOBER 21, 2025, ABOUT 1108 CENTRAL DAYLIGHT TIME, A ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^ R22 BETA II HELICOPTER SUSTAINED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE WHEN IT WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT NEAR SPRINGFIELD, MISSOURI. THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR AND THE PILOT RECEIVING INSTRUCTION BOTH SUSTAINED SERIOUS INJURIES. DURING AN AUTOROTATION, AFTER THE ENTRY AND THE ENGINE POWER AT IDLE, THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR TOLD THE PILOT TO “STEER” MULTIPLE TIMES AND HE EVEN GAVE THE CYCLIC A “NUDGE.” THE HELICOPTER WAS ORIENTED TO ABOUT A 240° HEADING, WHILE DRIFTING PAST THE RUNWAY CENTERLINE TO THE SOUTH. THE HELICOPTER WAS DRIFTING TO THE LEFT AND THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR REPORTED IT WAS UNABLE TO TURN TO THE RIGHT. THE HELICOPTER CONTINUED TO TRAVEL TO THE SOUTH BEYOND AIRPORT PROPERTY TOWARD A PUBLIC SPORTS COMPLEX. THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR INITIATED A FLARE. THE HELICOPTER IMPACTED A GRASS FIELD UPRIGHT NEAR TREES IN THE PUBLIC SPORTS COMPLEX, AND IT CAME TO REST ON ITS LEFT SIDE. THE CFI DID NOT INITIATE A POWER RECOVERY DURING THE AUTOROTATION. THE HELICOPTER SUSTAINED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE TO THE FUSELAGE, THE MAIN ROTOR SYSTEM, THE TAIL CONE, THE EMPENNAGE, AND THE TAIL ROTOR SYSTEM. POSTACCIDENT EXAMINATION OF THE AIRFRAME CONFIRMED FLIGHT CONTROL CONTINUITY. THE CLOSEST METEOROLOGICAL REPORTING STATION TO 3DW IS THE SPRINGFIELD BRANSON NATIONAL AIRPORT (SGF), SPRINGFIELD, MISSOURI. SGF IS ABOUT 7.90 MILES TO THE NORTHWEST OF 3DW. THE

FOLLOWING METEOROLOGICAL DATA WAS OBTAINED FROM THE AUTOMATED SURFACE OBSERVING SYSTEM AT SGF: AT 1052, THE WIND ORIGINATED FROM 310°, WITH A WIND SPEED OF 11 KTS, AND GUSTING TO 21 KTS. AT 1152, THE WIND ORIGINATED FROM 290°, WITH A WIND SPEED OF 14 KTS, AND GUSTING TO 26 KTS. A REVIEW OF METEOROLOGICAL DATA FOUND SOME SPEED SHEAR IN THE LOWEST 2,000 FT AGL OF ABOUT 15 KTS ABOVE AVERAGE SURFACE MAGNITUDES NEAR 3DW FOR A TIME NEAR THE ACCIDENT TIME. THERE WERE NO SIGNS OF DIRECTIONAL SHEAR FOUND.

## 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 CEN26LA027](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN26LA027), Oct 21, 2025: Robinson Helicopter R22 (N74583), Springfield, MO, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control and the flight instructor’s lack of proper remedial action during the practice autorotation that resulted in the helicopter impacting terrain.…

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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