Robinson R22 Beta accident near Chelsea, MI

On April 13, 2006, a Robinson R22 Beta (helicopter) was involved in an accident near Chelsea, MI. 2 people died. Damage to the aircraft: substantial.

Date

April 13, 2006

Place

Chelsea, MI

Aircraft

Robinson R22 Beta · Helicopter

Injuries

2 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor

Damage

Substantial

Position

42.308°N, 84.111°W

NTSB ID

20060419X00457

NTSB summary

HISTORY OF FLIGHT On April 13, 2006, about 1530 eastern daylight time, a Robinson R22 Beta helicopter, N887BC, piloted by a private pilot, sustained substantial damage on impact with trees and terrain during a forced landing following an in-flight loss of engine power while maneuvering near Chelsea, Michigan. The personal flight was operating under 14 CFR Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. No flight plan was on file. The pilot and passenger sustained fatal injuries. The local flight originated from a private landing area near Chelsea, Michigan, about 1515. The pilot was a Fire Captain and operated the helicopter. The passenger was the Chief of Police for Chelsea, Michigan. The flight was in support of a search for a suspect near Chelsea. A Washtenaw County Sheriff's deputy was on the road that the accident occurred on and witnessed the accident. His report, in part, stated: I heard radio traffic that Chelsea K9 was at the scene and a helicopter was requested to assist. I saw a helicopter flying from the West. The helicopter went east from my location around the woods. I next saw the helicopter coming from the East in front of my location. The helicopter turned from the East to the South at the end of Staebler Rd. As the helicopter turned it was heading towards me. The helicopter was coming down in my direction. The helicopter waved back and forth and then turned to the East. I saw the helicopter crash into the trees and hit the ground. ... I did observe the rotor blades spinning. I noticed the weather was warm with light clouds,

Probable cause

The pilot's inadequate preflight inspection of the helicopter that failed to discover water in the fuel, resulting in a loss of engine power while maneuvering, and an in-flight collision with trees and terrain. Factors associated with the accident were inadequate fuel storage, and the low altitude of the helicopter.

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Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.