ROBINSON HELICOPTER CO R66
Beaumont, TX — June 7, 2016
Event Information
| Date | June 7, 2016 |
| Event Type | ACC |
| NTSB Number | GAA16CA290 |
| Event ID | 20160608X50633 |
| Location | Beaumont, TX |
| Country | USA |
| Coordinates | 30.00194, -94.17722 |
| Highest Injury | NONE |
Aircraft
| Make | ROBINSON HELICOPTER CO |
| Model | R66 |
| Category | HELI |
| FAR Part | 091 |
| Aircraft Damage | SUBS |
Conditions
| Light Condition | DAYL |
| Weather | VMC |
Injuries
| Fatal | 0 |
| Serious | 0 |
| Minor | 0 |
| None | 1 |
| Total Injured | 0 |
Event Location
Probable Cause
The non-pilot owner's decision to start the helicopter while awaiting the pilot's arrival, which resulted in a loss of yaw control and a rollover.
Full Narrative
The owner of the helicopter, who did not hold a pilot certificate, reported that he followed the manufacture checklist and started the helicopter as he awaited the arrival of his pilot. He further reported that as the main rotor reached "idle speed" the helicopter spun to the right and rolled over, which resulted in substantial damage to the main rotor drive shaft and tail boom. The owner's pilot did not witness the accident and did not authorize the owner's actions.
The owner did not report any mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.
About This NTSB Record
This aviation event was investigated by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). NTSB investigates all U.S. civil aviation accidents to determine probable cause and issue safety recommendations to prevent future accidents.