Robinson R-22 accident near Hurricane, WV
On June 23, 1999, a Robinson R-22 (helicopter) was involved in an accident near Hurricane, WV. 1 person died. Damage to the aircraft: substantial.
- Date
- June 23, 1999
- Place
- Hurricane, WV
- Aircraft
- Robinson R-22 · Helicopter
- Injuries
- 1 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Substantial
- Position
- 38.429°N, 82.011°W
- NTSB ID
- 20001212X19085
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On June 23, 1999, about 1935 Eastern Daylight Time, a Robinson R-22, a helicopter, N9070F, was substantially damaged when it descended and impacted terrain in Hurricane, West Virginia. The certificated private pilot was fatally injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filled for the local flight which departed from a field at the pilot's home, about 1925. The personal flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. Witnesses observed the helicopter above a local carnival. One witness, who also knew the pilot, stated the helicopter made a pass overhead and momentarily rolled from side to side, which was the pilot's way of "waving" to the crowd. The helicopter made a right turn, came around for another pass, and then departed the area. Less than 2 minutes after observing the helicopter, he heard a radio call that a helicopter had crashed. He further stated that he had witnessed the helicopter on several previous occasions, and it seemed to be operating normally. In a telephone interview, a second witness who lived about 1/4 miles from the accident site stated he was working in a garden when he observed the helicopter make a circle overhead. He noticed the helicopter was making a "crackling and popping" noise, and "didn't sound right." The helicopter made another circle and disappeared beyond his field of view. He then noticed that all was quite. A third witness, who lived about 300 feet from the accident site stated he observed the helicopter flying straight and level, about 100 feet above his house, when it began to make a
Probable cause
A loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's failure to maintain rotor rpm and the transmission wires.
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Browse: West Virginia · 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.
