Robinson R22 BETA accident near Watsonville, CA
On August 19, 2000, a Robinson R22 BETA (helicopter) was involved in an accident near Watsonville, CA. 2 people died. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.
- Date
- August 19, 2000
- Place
- Watsonville, CA
- Aircraft
- Robinson R22 BETA · Helicopter
- Injuries
- 2 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Position
- 36.896°N, 121.794°W
- NTSB ID
- 20001212X21753
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On August 18, 2000, about 1755 Pacific daylight time, a Robinson R22 Beta, N8313Z, experienced the in-flight separation of its main rotor blade assembly while cruising or maneuvering. The helicopter, in an uncontrolled descent, crashed into a plowed field and burned near Watsonville, California. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the local area instructional flight. The flight instructor, who held an airline transport pilot certificate, and the student pilot were fatally injured. The helicopter, which was registered to and operated by the flight instructor, was destroyed. The flight was performed under 14 CFR Part 91 and originated from the Watsonville Municipal Airport, Watsonville, about 1715. Santa Cruz County Sheriff's department personnel reported that their investigation indicated the flight instructor had an appointment at the Watsonville Airport about 1600. Airport personnel reported to the National Transportation Safety Board investigator that this was the student's first flight in the Robinson helicopter, and it was considered to be a "familiarization" flight. Five ground-based witnesses, who reported observing the helicopter during the accident sequence, were subsequently interviewed. In summary, they reported the following information. Three of the witnesses were driving separate work trucks eastbound along the same road, and two were standing together in a parking lot in Watsonville. The lead driver heard a loud noise, looked up and saw a helicopter headed nose down with pieces of metal coming off it.
Probable cause
The divergence of the main rotor from its normal plane of rotation for an undetermined reason, which resulted in mast bumping and rotor contact with the fuselage.
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Browse: California · 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.
