Robinson R-22 Beta accident near Montpelier, VA
On June 3, 2003, a Robinson R-22 Beta (helicopter) was involved in an accident near Montpelier, VA. 2 people died. Damage to the aircraft: substantial.
- Date
- June 3, 2003
- Place
- Montpelier, VA
- Aircraft
- Robinson R-22 Beta · Helicopter
- Injuries
- 2 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Substantial
- Position
- 37.788°N, 77.720°W
- NTSB ID
- 20030612X00866
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On June 3, 2003, about 1103 eastern daylight time, a Robinson R-22 Beta helicopter, N23428, was substantially damaged when it collided with trees and terrain near Montpelier, Virginia. The commercial pilot and the passenger were fatally injured. No flight plan was filed for the flight that originated at Shannon Airport (EZF), Fredericksburg, Virginia, about 0925. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the aerial observation flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. According to the operator, the purpose of the flight was to conduct power line inspections. According to a witness, she was in her home, with the windows open, between 1000 and 1100, when she heard the helicopter approaching. It flew low over her property, then became "suddenly quiet," which intensified her attention. Immediately afterwards, she heard "two really loud bangs, like a hammer banging on metal," followed again by silence. The witness thought the helicopter had crashed, so she investigated the area around her back yard and peered into the heavily wooded area behind her home. She did not see smoke or any signs of the helicopter. A second witness was in her yard with her husband, when she first observed the helicopter flying above the power lines. She commented to her husband that it seemed "kind of loud." The helicopter then flew out of her view, and shortly afterwards, she heard a "backfire". The witness and her husband went to the area where they last heard the helicopter, but did not see any smoke. The witness commented that, other than the loudness, nothing seemed unusual abou
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain adequate main rotor rpm while maneuvering at a low altitude.
More accidents in VA
- Boeing 757-200, Sep 11, 2001
- Beech B99, Sep 23, 1985
- Beech 65, Sep 10, 1995
- Beech 200, Oct 24, 2004
- Piper PA-31-310, Nov 14, 1982
Browse: 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.
