NC AV8R Posted February 27, 2010 Posted February 27, 2010 (edited) From time to time I like to take a look at the preliminary investigation reports of the Aircraft Accident Database on the NTSB website. I feel like there is a lot to be learned from some of these accidents. Today I ran across one that really caught my eye. Maybe all the facts needed to determine a cause haven't been included in the preliminary report but I'd like to hear what some of you have to say about the cause of this one. Kudos to the pilot. I think I'd have to clean my drawers out if I had been the pilot. The original report can be found here. NTSB Identification: WPR10LA13814 CFR Part 91: General AviationAccident occurred Wednesday, February 17, 2010 in Parlier, CAAircraft: ROBINSON HELICOPTER R22 BETA, registration: N313DAInjuries: 2 Uninjured. This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when the final report has been completed. On February 17, 2010, at 1450 Pacific standard time, N313DA, a Robinson R22 Beta, force-landed in a field near Parlier, California. The commercial pilot and one passenger were not injured. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the main rotor assembly. The pilot was operating the helicopter under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 and visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The flight departed from Fresno Yosemite International Airport, Fresno, California, at 1430, and was on the first leg of a trip to North Las Vegas Airport, Las Vegas, Nevada. The first planned stop was Meadows Field Airport, Bakersfield, California. According to the pilot, he was established in straight-and-level flight when he initiated a 10 to 20-degree banked turn to the right. The helicopter immediately rolled inverted and the pilot applied aft cyclic and lowered the collective. The pilot was able to regain control of the helicopter and perform a powered landing to a field. The helicopter was recovered for further examination. Edited February 27, 2010 by NC AV8R Quote
Eggbeater Posted February 27, 2010 Posted February 27, 2010 That might be a first for a Robinson! Quote
R22139RJ Posted February 27, 2010 Posted February 27, 2010 I believe a new report came out , crash causes by Low-G and Mast Bumping. The 22 just got overhauled and that was its first flight after the test flight. People saw him take off from the airport and said they were surprised, his take off was a sign of things to come, pretty much complete hollywood jackassery. This is all second hand information though. Quote
IRAPILOT79 Posted February 27, 2010 Posted February 27, 2010 That area is pancake flat. Just a bunch of grape vines and orchards Quote
Pohi Posted February 28, 2010 Posted February 28, 2010 The inspectors came out within the last week and checked the wreckage out and determined that it was a classic case of mast bumping. He should have made up a better story, like low level wind shear, microburst, wake turbulance from a seagull or something like that. Yup, he went completely inverted and was such an awsome pilot that he whipped it back around and pulled off the landing. Quote
EC120AV8R Posted February 28, 2010 Posted February 28, 2010 complete hollywood jackassery. Hollywood jackassery...I like it. I am going to use this. Quote
Goldy Posted February 28, 2010 Posted February 28, 2010 From time to time I like to take a look at the preliminary investigation reports of the Aircraft Accident Database on the NTSB website. Regardless what happened, this was a great find in the database! Still unsure though, what actually caused the ship to lose control? Maybe that nose down hard right turn came so fast that he felt like he was inverted? Quote
NC AV8R Posted February 28, 2010 Author Posted February 28, 2010 I found a snapshot of the accident as it was taking place. I should have known it was goldy! Quote
R22139RJ Posted February 28, 2010 Posted February 28, 2010 Regardless what happened, this was a great find in the database! Still unsure though, what actually caused the ship to lose control? Maybe that nose down hard right turn came so fast that he felt like he was inverted? I believe it would be low-g conditions that would lead an R22 to suddenly go inverted. Quote
jumpngonuts Posted February 28, 2010 Posted February 28, 2010 (edited) I've made it a habit to scroll through the monthly lists and read a few that stand out to me. Edited February 28, 2010 by jumpngonuts Quote
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