Robinson R22 Beta accident near Tucson, AZ
On August 10, 2006, a Robinson R22 Beta (helicopter) was involved in an accident near Tucson, AZ. 1 person died. Damage to the aircraft: substantial.
- Date
- August 10, 2006
- Place
- Tucson, AZ
- Aircraft
- Robinson R22 Beta · Helicopter
- Injuries
- 1 fatal, 1 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Substantial
- Position
- 32.397°N, 110.769°W
- NTSB ID
- 20060817X01187
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On August 10, 2006, about 0930 mountain standard time, a Robinson R22 Beta, N7059S, descended into high mountainous terrain about 19 miles north of Tucson, Arizona. The helicopter was operated by Air Photo, Inc., Everett, Washington, during the aerial photography flight, and it was substantially damaged. The commercial pilot was seriously injured, and the passenger (photographer) was killed. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time, and no flight plan had been filed. The flight was performed under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91, and it originated from Tucson (TUS) about 0820. The pilot reported to the National Transportation Safety Board investigator that after takeoff from the Tucson International Airport, elevation 2,643 feet mean sea level (msl), he proceeded on his aerial photography assignment in the direction specified by his passenger, a company photographer. As the pilot was proceeding in a northerly direction he approached rising mountainous terrain and he "started looking for a way through [the mountains]." The pilot reported "the first route [he] chose didn't work. Halfway up [he] determined that with the power [he was] using that [he] had to go another way." The pilot indicated that the second route he chose was 500 feet lower at the peak, and there were 2 valleys oriented up to the face of the mountain. The helicopter was 1,000 feet above ground level (agl), but that clearance decreased to 500 feet agl, and then to 300 feet agl. At this time the rpms "started to sag," so he performed a "low rpm recovery
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain adequate rotor rpm and adequate terrain clearance while maneuvering to reverse direction. Contributing factors were the high density altitude, that exceeded the helicopter's performance capability, and the rising mountainous 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.
