# NTSB CHI04LA119: Robinson R22 Beta, N2301F, Winsted, MN, May 12, 2004 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 12, 2004, 11:45 local (16:45 UTC) - Place: Winsted, MN - Coordinates: 44.965831, -94.048889 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.9658&lon=-94.0489&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report May 30, 2006 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 59257 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI04LA119 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/59257/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=59257 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI04LA119 ## Probable cause The failure of the main rotor drive belts for an undetermined reason, and the pilot's misjudged flare during the autorotation. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, cruise - rotor drive system,main rotor drive belt - failure (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - autorotation - performed, pilot in command - Hard landing, emergency descent/landing - flare - misjudged, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis The helicopter was damaged during a forced landing. The pilot reported that he heard a loud bang, smelled rubber, received a clutch warning light, and autorotated to a recently planted corn field. The corn was approximately 2 inches tall in rolling terrain. The tail rotor and aft section of the tail boom were separated from the helicopter and the landing skids were bent outward and upward. The main drive system was examined. The main drive belts are composed of 2 independent belts each having twin V's. The 2 belts run in 4 groove pulley sheaves attached to the engine and clutch. One of the belts was split between the 2 V's for approximately 1/2 of the circumference of the belt. The second belt was shredded. Examination of the actuator revealed no anomalies. No other anomalies could be found with respect to the drive system. ## Factual narrative On May 12, 2004, about 1145 central daylight time, a Robinson R22 Beta helicopter, N2301F, piloted by a commercial pilot, sustained substantial damage duirng a forced landing following a failure of the main drive belts near Winsted, Minnesota. The 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight was operating in marginal visual meteorological conditions without a flight plan. The pilot, who was the sole occupant, received minor injuries. The origin of the flight has not been determined. The pilot initially reported to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Inspector that he heard a loud bang, smelled rubber, received a clutch warning light, and autorotated to a recently planted corn field. The pilot has not submitted a written report of the accident. The FAA Inspector that responded to the accident site reported that the corn was approximately 2 inches tall in rolling terrain. Pictures of the accident site confirmed the terrain condition. The tail rotor and aft section of the tail boom were separated from the helicopter and the landing skids were bent outward and upward. The main drive system was examined. The main drive belts are composed of 2 independent belts each having twin V's. The 2 belts run in 4 groove pulley sheaves attached to the engine and clutch. One of the belts was split between the 2 V's for approximately 1/2 of the circumference of the belt. The second belt was shredded. Examination of the actuator revealed no anomalies. No other anomalies could be found with respect to the drive system. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2301F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2301F-2006-08-11), registration cancelled 2006-08-11, S/N 1822, built 1991 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Robinson R22 Beta - Registry model: [Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA](https://openairdocs.org/model/robinson-helicopter-r22-beta) (registry code 7640110) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 1822 - Engines: Lycoming O-320 131 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Gary A. Matthys - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: UNK - Destination: UNK ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 36; injuries: minor; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; seat: right ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 280° at 20 knots, gusting 25 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 800 ft overcast - Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 46 °F - Altimeter: 29.70 inHg - Observed at: KHCD, 15 nm away ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20040512011519A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040512011519A), May 12, 2004: Robsin R22BETA, Winsted, MN, Destroyed. (-23) On may 12, 2004 gary matthys was PIC of N2301F (Robinson R-22 beta ii helicopter) at approximately 700 feet AGL near Winsted, MN when he heard a loud… ## Other investigations on N2301F (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 CHI04LA134](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI04LA134), Sep 5, 2003: Robinson R22 Beta (N2301F), Argusville, ND, substantial damage. Probable cause: The altitude/clearance not maintained from transmission wire(s) by the pilot during an unknown phase of flight. The transmission wire(s) were a contributing factor. ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 16, 2006, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=59257. 160 KB in all. - NTSB Examination Notes (item 1, .PDF, 52 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40257720&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=NTSB%20Examination%20Notes-Master.PDF - Photo 1. Wreckage Site (item 2, .PDF, 108 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40257721&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201.%20%20Wreckage%20Site-Master.PDF 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.