Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA accident near Tahlequah, OK
On October 14, 2009, a Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA (helicopter) was involved in an accident near Tahlequah, OK. 2 people died. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.
- Date
- October 14, 2009
- Place
- Tahlequah, OK
- Aircraft
- Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA · Helicopter
- Injuries
- 2 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Position
- 35.888°N, 95.010°W
- NTSB ID
- 20091017X64138
Official records · CEN10FA019
- Public docket: reports, statements and exhibits from the investigation
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On October 14, 2009, approximately 0450 central daylight time, a Robinson Helicopter R22 Beta, N3234G, operated by a non-instrument rated private pilot, was destroyed when it impacted terrain near Tahlequah, Oklahoma. A post impact fire ensued. Night instrument meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The personal flight was being conducted under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91 without a flight plan. The private pilot and his passenger were fatally injured. The flight departed the pilot's private residence approximately 0445 and was en route to Tahlequah Municipal Airport (KTQH), Tahlequah, Oklahoma. According to family and friends, the pilot had been up all night watching movies. The pilot intended to fly to KTQH to meet a friend, hanger his helicopter, and go hunting. The helicopter never arrived and the friend departed the airport without reporting the overdue helicopter. Family members of the passenger filed a missing persons report on the afternoon of October 15, 2009, and the wreckage was located from the air the morning of October 16, 2009. PERSONNEL INFORMATION The pilot, age 26, held a private pilot certificate with a rotorcraft helicopter rating issued on July 31, 2009. He was issued a Third Class Airman Medical and Student Pilot certificate on April 28, 2008. The certificate contained no limitations. The pilot’s flight log was not located in the wreckage and the pilot’s family was not aware of the location of the flight log. At the time of application for the airman medical certificate
Probable cause
The pilot's impairment due to recent heavy use of methamphetamine, recent use of a narcotic pain reliever, and fatigue. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's lack of instrument experience and training.
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Browse: Oklahoma · 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.
