ROBINSON R22
Titusville, FL — August 11, 2011
Event Information
| Date | August 11, 2011 |
| Event Type | ACC |
| NTSB Number | ERA11CA448 |
| Event ID | 20110812X73321 |
| Location | Titusville, FL |
| Country | USA |
| Coordinates | 28.62250, -80.83528 |
| Airport | Arthur Dunn Air Park |
| Highest Injury | NONE |
Aircraft
| Make | ROBINSON |
| Model | R22 |
| Category | HELI |
| FAR Part | 091 |
| Aircraft Damage | SUBS |
Conditions
| Light Condition | DAYL |
| Weather | VMC |
Injuries
| Fatal | 0 |
| Serious | 0 |
| Minor | 0 |
| None | 2 |
| Total Injured | 0 |
Event Location
Probable Cause
The private pilot's incorrect manipulation of the engine mixture control which resulted in an inadvertent engine shutdown.
Full Narrative
The two certificated rotorcraft pilots were conducting a ferry flight. According to both pilots, the helicopter was on approach to land for a refueling stop when the airline transport pilot flying asked the private pilot to apply carburetor heat. The private pilot inadvertently pulled-out the engine mixture control with the mixture control guard, which resulted in an immediate total loss of engine power. The helicopter was at an altitude between 300 to 400 feet, and the airline transport pilot entered an autorotation, while the private pilot attempted to restart the engine. The engine did not restart before the helicopter struck trees, a fence, and then nosed over. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the airframe and both the main and tail rotor drive systems. Both pilots reported there were no mechanical malfunctions during the flight. The private pilot reported 220 hours of total flight experience, which included about 54 hours in the same make and model as the accident helicopter.
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.