Robinson R22 BETA accident near Eunice, LA
On October 14, 1994, a Robinson R22 BETA (helicopter) was involved in an accident near Eunice, LA. 1 person died. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.
- Date
- October 14, 1994
- Place
- Eunice, LA
- Aircraft
- Robinson R22 BETA · Helicopter
- Injuries
- 1 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Position
- 30.490°N, 92.410°W
- NTSB ID
- 20001206X02426
Official records · FTW95FA016
- Public docket: reports, statements and exhibits from the investigation
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On October 14, 1994, at 0920 central daylight time, a Robinson R22 Beta helicopter, N80546, was destroyed during a forced landing near Eunice, Louisiana. The private pilot was fatally injured. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight. The pilot, who was a doctor, took off from a local hospital, and according to a witness two blocks from the hospital, was flying westbound along a road. The witness reported, "the pilot tried to keep the plane up, but something went wrong with the engine." The witness further reported the helicopter turned right towards a field, but the pilot "was unable to get the plane up so he crashed in the ditch" that parallels the road. AIRCRAFT INFORMATION A review of the airframe and engine records did not reveal any anomalies or uncorrected maintenance defects prior to the flight. WRECKAGE AND IMPACT INFORMATION Ground scars, were found on the north downslope side of a ditch that parallels a east and west oriented road. The aircraft came to rest on the road inverted 18 feet from the initial ground scars. There was a post impact fire. The transmission with the main rotor system came to rest on a station wagon 39 feet from the initial ground scar and on line with the main wreckage. A witness pulled it off the station wagon and put out the fire. The tail boom was separated from the main fuselage and was found 16 feet west of the main wreckage. See enclosed wreckage diagram for wreckage distribution details. The carburetor heat was off. Examination of the helicopter and engine did not disclose any mechanical
Probable cause
THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO PROPERLY USE CARBURETOR HEAT, THE FORMATION OF CARBURETOR ICE, AND FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN ROTOR RPM AFTER LOSS OF ENGINE POWER, WHICH RESULTED IN A LOSS OF CONTROL AND COLLISION WITH TERRAIN. A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS: THE WEATHER CONDITION, WHICH WAS CONDUCIVE TO CARBURETOR ICING.
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Browse: Louisiana · Robinson aircraft
Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
