- Date
- September 24, 2008, 15:30 local (21:30 UTC)
- Place
- Flagstaff, AZ
- Injuries
- 1 uninjured
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Phase of flight
- Initial climb
- Aircraft
- N926ELRobinson R22 Beta II
- Defining event
- Initial climb: Loss of control in flight
- Weather
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Status
- Completed · report November 10, 2008
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- Parties
- Federal Aviation Administration
- FAA report
- 20080924852019A
- Case key
- 68989
From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.
On this page
Probable cause
The pilot's decision to attempt a takeoff in a high density altitude high gross weight condition that exceeded the takeoff performance capability of the helicopter. The pilot's failure to maintain adequate rotor rpm was also causal. Contributing factors were the high density altitude and the uneven high elevation terrain.
Findings · 6
NTSB’s coded findings. Those marked are part of the probable cause; the rest are factors or other findings. Under each, the cases with the same finding.
Sequence of events
The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event is the one that best describes the accident. Under each, the cases with the same event anywhere in their sequence.
Analysis
The pilot reported that due to the density altitude and the weight of the helicopter, he could not gain sufficient airspeed during the takeoff to climb. As the helicopter approached a tree line he initiated a left turn to avoid the trees after receiving a "low rotor" rpm warning. The pilot lowered collective and added throttle just before impacting rough, uneven terrain, which resulted in substantial damage to the helicopter. The pilot stated, "…it [the helicopter] was just too heavy and it was too hot, and the terrain was not level for a run on landing." The density altitude at the time of the accident was calculated to be 10,612 feet.
Factual narrative
The pilot reported that due to the density altitude and the weight of the helicopter, he could not gain sufficient airspeed during the takeoff to climb. As the helicopter approached a tree line he initiated a left turn to avoid the trees after receiving a "low rotor" rpm warning. The pilot lowered collective and added throttle just before impacting rough, uneven terrain, which resulted in substantial damage to the helicopter. The pilot stated, "…it [the helicopter] was just too heavy and it was too hot, and the terrain was not level for a run on landing." The density altitude at the time of the accident was calculated to be 10,612 feet.
Aircraft
- Registration
- N926EL
- Reported as
- Robinson R22 Beta II
- Category
- Helicopter
- Serial number
- 3085
- Airframe hours
- 957.2
- Engine
- Lycoming O-320, reciprocating
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal · Part 91
- Operator
- Richard R Snure
- Registered owner
- Richard R Snure
- Airworthiness certificate
- Standard, Normal
- Last inspection
- 100 hour · September 20, 2008 · 7.4 hours before
- Departed
- Flagstaff, AZ
- Destination
- Flagstaff, AZ
Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.
Flight crew
As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.
- Role
- Pilot
- Age
- 60
- Injuries
- None
- Certificate
- Commercial
- Medical
- Class 2, With waivers/limitations
- Last flight review
- April 10, 2008
- Seat
- Right
- Flight hours
- 2,500 total · 2,500 in this make and model · 2,400 as pilot in command · 150 in the last 90 days · 75 in the last 30 days · 7 in the last 24 hours
Weather
- Conditions
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Visibility
- 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling
- None
- Temperature
- 81 °F
FAA reports on this event · 1
The FAA’s own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date.