Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
THE INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT INSPECTION BY THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND IN THAT HE FAILED TO DRAIN ALL THE WATER FROM THE FUEL SYSTEM, RESULTING IN AN TOTAL LOSS OF POWER. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE UNSUITABLE TERRAIN ENCOUNTERED BY THE PILOT DURING THE AUTOROTATION.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Historical)
Analysis
On June 26, 1995, about 1300 eastern daylight time, N869BD, a Robinson R22, operated by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, as a 14 CFR Part 91 local surveillance flight, crashed in Windemere, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The helicopter was substantially damaged and the pilot and observer received serious injuries. The flight had originated about 15 minutes earlier.
The pilot stated and witnesses reported the engine failed and the pilot executed an autorotation to the edge of a clearing and struck trees. Examination of the helicopter revealed over 1 gallon of water in the fuel tank and water in the carburetor bowl and gascolator.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# MIA95TA159