N74632

Substantial
Minor

ROBINSON HELICOPTER R22 BETAS/N: 3963

Accident Details

Date
Saturday, November 14, 2009
NTSB Number
ERA10CA064
Location
Pahokee, FL
Event ID
20091114X53144
Coordinates
26.791110, -80.689445
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
Highest Injury
Minor
Fatalities
0
Serious Injuries
0
Minor Injuries
1
Uninjured
0
Total Aboard
1

Probable Cause and Findings

The pilot’s failure to maintain control of the helicopter.

Aircraft Information

Registration
N74632
Make
ROBINSON HELICOPTER
Serial Number
3963
Engine Type
Reciprocating
Year Built
2005
Model / ICAO
R22 BETAR22
Aircraft Type
Rotorcraft
No. of Engines
1

Registered Owner (Historical)

Name
SALE REPORTED
Address
3011 W BUCKEYE RD
Status
Deregistered
City
PHOENIX
State / Zip Code
AZ 85009-5734
Country
United States

Analysis

The pilot stated that he had just landed and hover taxied to a fuel station. He established himself in a hover approximately 20 feet southwest of the fuel station, noting that the windsock indicated a strong quartering headwind. While he was hovering, he encountered a gust of wind. The helicopter began to yaw to the right and the nose lowered. The pilot was unable to regain control and the main rotor blades struck a concrete pole. The helicopter rolled onto its right side, substantially damaging the main rotor blades, fuselage, and tail. The winds recorded at closest reporting station about the time of the accident were from 020 degrees at 11 knots, with gusts to 15 knots.

Data Source

Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# ERA10CA064