# NTSB FTW00LA077: Robinson R22 Beta, N2330F, Sarita, TX, January 27, 2000 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: January 27, 2000, 08:45 local (14:45 UTC) - Place: Sarita, TX - Coordinates: 27.210227, -97.800201 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.2102&lon=-97.8002&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 6, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 48543 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW00LA077 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/48543/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW00LA077 ## Probable cause The failure of the pilot to maintain main rotor rpm, which resulted in a hard landing. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown - rotor rpm - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - misc rotorcraft,main rotor/tail boom contact ## Analysis The helicopter's mission was to harvest Nilgai antelope. After the passenger shot a second Nilgai antelope, the pilot maneuvered the helicopter downwind at 50 knots and 70 feet agl, to lead the animal recovery vehicle to where the first antelope had fallen. The pilot executed a right turn to come to a hover over the antelope. As he started a 'quick-stop, the engine began to lug down.' He 'rolled on the throttle, overriding the governor, and nosed [the helicopter] over while lowering the collective.' The main rotor low rpm warning sounded about the time he applied forward cyclic. The helicopter was 'gaining airspeed but the rpm kept declining.' The pilot 'milked' the collective; however, he was unable to regain rotor rpm. At about 3-5 feet agl, the rotor rpm was at 80 percent. The pilot leveled the helicopter and attempted a run-on landing. The helicopter landed hard, and a main rotor blade struck the tail boom, separating it at mid-length. ## Factual narrative On January 27, 2000, at 0845 central standard time, a Robinson R22 Beta helicopter, N2330F, was substantially damaged during a hard landing following a loss of main rotor rpm near Sarita, Texas. The aircraft was registered to a private individual and operated by Mesquite Helicopter Services, Inc., of Alice, Texas. The commercial pilot and the passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 antelope hunting flight. The local flight originated from the Kennedy Ranch at 0820. The helicopter's mission was to harvest Nilgai antelope. After the passenger shot a second Nilgai antelope, the pilot maneuvered the helicopter downwind at 50 knots and 70 feet agl, to lead the animal recovery vehicle to where the first antelope had fallen. The pilot executed a right turn to come to a hover over the antelope. As he started a "quick-stop, the engine began to lug down." He "rolled on the throttle, overriding the governor, and nosed [the helicopter] over while lowering the collective." The main rotor low rpm warning sounded about the time he applied forward cyclic. The helicopter was "gaining airspeed but the rpm kept declining." The pilot "milked" the collective; however, he was unable to regain rotor rpm. At about 3-5 feet agl, the rotor rpm was at 80 percent. The pilot leveled the helicopter and attempted a run-on landing. "As [the helicopter] hit the ground," a main rotor blade struck the tail boom, separating it at mid-length. The aircraft turned 90 degrees to the left and rolled over onto its left side. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2330F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2330F-2002-02-21), registration cancelled 2002-02-21, S/N 2153, built 1992 (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: 2153 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-B2C 131 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Other work use, Part 91 - Operator: Mesquite Helicopter Sevice - Registered owner: Travis Burris - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: NONE, KENNEDY RANCH, TX ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 25; commercial; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 599 total, 588 in this make and model, 503 as pilot in command, 282 in the last 90 days, 109 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 90° at 10 knots, gusting 12 - Visibility: 3 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 500 ft overcast - Temperature: 45 °F ## 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 20000127000459A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20000127000459A), Jan 27, 2000: Robsin R22BETA, Sarita, TX, Substantial damage. (.19) On January 27, 2000, at 0800 central standard time, a Robinson R22 beta helicopter, N2330F, was substantially damaged during landing following a loss of… 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.