# NTSB FTW98LA049: Robinson R22 Beta, N26026, Lubbock, TX, November 15, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: November 15, 1997, 11:00 local (17:00 UTC) - Place: Lubbock, TX - Coordinates: 33.530227, -101.789497 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.5302&lon=-101.7895&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 31, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 20484 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW98LA049 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20484/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW98LA049 ## Probable cause failure of the student pilot to maintain control of the helicopter during hover out-of-ground-effect. A related factor was: the student pilot's lack of experience in flying helicopters. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, hover - out of ground effect - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - lack of total experience in kind of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - In flight collision with object, emergency landing - object - fence ## Analysis The student pilot reported that he had established an out-of-ground-effect hover at 200 feet AGL. He further reported that, the 'wind turned the ship to the right abruptly,' to a westerly heading. To correct, he applied left pedal, 'but not enough' and the helicopter began 'to lose altitude and control,' so he released pressure on the left pedal, thinking he had compensated incorrectly. As the helicopter continued turning to the right, he began to apply left pedal. As the helicopter kept turning to the right, the pilot applied full left pedal. The descent continued, and the helicopter completed another 360 degree turn and contacted a fence. The pilot estimated the winds were from 010 degrees at 8 knots. No control system anomaly was found. Performance charts indicated that the helicopter was within it's flight envelope during the hover. ## Factual narrative On November 15, 1997, at 1100 central standard time, a Robinson R22-Beta helicopter, N26026, owned and operated by Caprock Helicopter Inc., of Lubbock, Texas, was substantially damaged following a loss of control while maneuvering near Lubbock, Texas. The student pilot was uninjured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the Title 14 CFR Part 91 solo instructional flight and no flight plan was filed. The flight originated from Town and Country Airpark Airport, Lubbock, Texas, at 1000. The student pilot reported that he executed a normal take-off to the north, from a grassy area beside runway 35. He stated that his mother's house is located 1 1/4 miles west and 1/2 miles north of the Town and Country Airport. He planned his traffic pattern so the turn from cross-wind to downwind would occur over his mother's house. As he approached the left turn, from cross-wind to downwind, he decided to continue flying west over the house. He then flew past the house by 1/2 mile, turned 180 degrees, and flew east towards the house, reducing the helicopter's airspeed and altitude to accommodate an out-of-ground-effect hover at 200 feet AGL, just north of the house. The pilot further stated that, the "wind turned the ship to the right abruptly," to a westerly heading. To correct, he applied left pedal, "but not enough" and the helicopter began "to lose altitude and control," so he released pressure on the left pedal, thinking he had compensated incorrectly. The aircraft continued turning to the right and passing through a northerly heading he began to apply left pedal. As the helicopter kept turning to the right the pilot applied full left pedal. The descent continued and the helicopter completed another 360 degree turn and contacted a fence. The helicopter came to rest on it's right side. The pilot estimated the winds were from 010 degrees at 8 knots. Performance charts indicate that the helicopter was within it's flight envelope during the hover. Examination of the helicopter, performed by an FAA inspector, revealed damage to the main rotor and tail rotor systems and the tail boom was found separated from the aircraft No control system anomalies were found. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N26026](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N26026-2017-06-07), registration cancelled 2017-06-07, S/N 0690, built 1987 (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: 0690 - Airframe hours: 6914 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-B2C 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Registered owner: Caprock Helicopter Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, October 31, 1997, 43 hours before - Departed: F82, TX ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 33; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 20 total, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 10° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 30 °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 19971115033039A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19971115033039A), Nov 15, 1997: Robsin R22BETA, Lubbock, TX, Substantial damage. Wind gust turned helicopter. R22 began uncontrollable right turn. Hit a fence. Rolled over. Chopped tailboom. (.4)the student pilot reported that he had… 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.