Robinson Helicopter Company R-22 Beta II accident near Eagar, AZ
On October 14, 2005, a Robinson Helicopter Company R-22 Beta II (helicopter) was involved in an accident near Eagar, AZ. 2 people died. Damage to the aircraft: substantial.
- Date
- October 14, 2005
- Place
- Eagar, AZ
- Aircraft
- Robinson Helicopter Company R-22 Beta II · Helicopter
- Injuries
- 2 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Substantial
- Position
- 34.060°N, 109.502°W
- NTSB ID
- 20051019X01693
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On October 14, 2005, about 1145 Pacific daylight time, a Robinson Helicopter Company R-22 Beta II, N7196J, impacted trees and mountainous terrain approximately 12 miles west-southwest of Eagar, Arizona. The helicopter was registered to and operated by both pilots under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91 as a personal flight. Both private pilots on board (a married couple) were fatally injured and the helicopter was substantially damaged. The helicopter departed the Springerville Municipal Airport in Springerville, Arizona, at 1127, and was destined for Chandler, Arizona. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the departure airport and a visual flight rules flight plan was on file for the cross-country flight, but not activated. According to the Springville Airport Manager, one of the pilots asked them to add 6 gallons of fuel in one tank and 7 gallons of fuel in the other and did not want the fuel tanks topped off due to the elevation. The manager added a total of 13.1 gallons of 100 low-lead aviation gasoline and observed the pilots planning their flight from Springerville to Chandler. The manager reported that they filed a flight plan and had obtained a weather briefing. The pilots then headed to the helicopter for their departure. The manager reported that he and two other individuals watched the helicopter lift off the ground and wobble from side-to-side. The helicopter then settled to the ground and one of the skids made ground contact. The helicopter spun around 180 degrees and the helicopter lifted back up into the air. During the 180-degree ro
Probable cause
The pilots' inadequate in-flight planning, which led the helicopter toward rising terrain in excess of the performance capability of the helicopter. Contributing factors were the high density altitude, and the rapidly rising terrain.
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Browse: Arizona · 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.
