Robinson R22 BETA accident near Houston, TX
On March 26, 1999, a Robinson R22 BETA (helicopter) was involved in an accident near Houston, TX. 2 people died. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.
- Date
- March 26, 1999
- Place
- Houston, TX
- Aircraft
- Robinson R22 BETA · Helicopter
- Injuries
- 2 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Position
- 29.751°N, 95.469°W
- NTSB ID
- 20001205X00318
Official records · FTW99FA100
- Public docket: reports, statements and exhibits from the investigation
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On March 26, 1999, at 1241 central standard time, a Robinson R22 Beta helicopter, N2323V, was destroyed when it impacted terrain during an uncontrolled descent while maneuvering near Houston, Texas. The commercial pilot and his passenger were fatally injured. The helicopter was registered to a private individual and operated by Helicopter Services, Inc., of Spring, Texas. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a company VFR flight plan was filed for the local photo flight operated under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The flight originated from the David Wayne Hooks Airport, Houston, Texas, at 1010, and made a stop at the CBD Heliport, Houston, Texas, between 1150 and 1220. The operator reported that a photo flight was planned to loop the city of Houston in a clockwise direction, originating from the David Wayne Hooks Airport. Radar data obtained from Houston Terminal Radar Approach Control facility and photo logs found at the accident site indicated that the helicopter flew over Houston's downtown area then flew southwest to the accident area where the passenger was to photograph a six story parking garage. One minute and 45 seconds before radar contact with the helicopter was lost, the helicopter was tracked turning to the right at 600 feet msl. The last altitude return recorded the helicopter at 400 feet. See the enclosed radar data for more information. Numerous witnesses in the accident area observed the helicopter maneuvering at approximately 500 feet above the ground. Three witnesses stated that the helicopter came in from the west a
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain control of the helicopter while maneuvering. A factor was the pilot's impairment due to his use of a prescription narcotic.
More accidents in TX
- Kubicek BB85, Jul 30, 2016
- Robertson C-414, Jul 29, 1982
- Textron Aviation B-300, Jun 30, 2019
- Beech B100, Nov 26, 1983
- Consolidated-Vultee PBY-6A, Oct 13, 1984
Browse: Texas · 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.
