ROBINSON HELICOPTER R22 BETA
Pahokee, FL — November 14, 2009
Event Information
| Date | November 14, 2009 |
| Event Type | ACC |
| NTSB Number | ERA10CA064 |
| Event ID | 20091114X53144 |
| Location | Pahokee, FL |
| Country | USA |
| Coordinates | 26.79111, -80.68945 |
| Airport | Palm Beach County Glades |
| Highest Injury | MINR |
Aircraft
| Make | ROBINSON HELICOPTER |
| Model | R22 BETA |
| Category | HELI |
| FAR Part | 091 |
| Aircraft Damage | SUBS |
Conditions
| Light Condition | DAYL |
| Weather | VMC |
Injuries
| Fatal | 0 |
| Serious | 0 |
| Minor | 1 |
| None | 0 |
| Total Injured | 1 |
Event Location
Probable Cause
The pilot’s failure to maintain control of the helicopter.
Full Narrative
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.
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.