Robinson R22 Beta accident near Spokane, WA
On June 2, 2010, a Robinson R22 Beta (helicopter) was involved in an accident near Spokane, WA. 1 person died. Damage to the aircraft: substantial.
- Date
- June 2, 2010
- Place
- Spokane, WA
- Aircraft
- Robinson R22 Beta · Helicopter
- Injuries
- 1 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Substantial
- Position
- 47.691°N, 117.302°W
- NTSB ID
- 20100602X01732
Official records · WPR10FA277
- Public docket: reports, statements and exhibits from the investigation
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On June 2, 2010, about 1630 Pacific daylight time, a Robinson R22 Beta, N522SA, experienced a main rotor blade strike, which separated the tail boom in flight, while in the landing pattern at Felts Field, Spokane, Washington. Inland Helicopters, Inc., was operating the helicopter under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91. The student pilot sustained fatal injuries; the helicopter sustained substantial damage to the airframe and main rotor blades (MRB) from impact forces. The local instructional flight departed about 1600. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. The student pilot flew in the traffic pattern with a certified flight instructor, and made a full stop landing on runway 21L. The instructor determined that the student was competent to continue flying solo, and exited the helicopter. This was the student pilot’s fourth solo flight. The student completed about five more touch-and-go landings. On the accident flight, the student reported downwind to the air traffic control tower (ATCT), and the tower controller stated that he cleared the student for landing. He observed the helicopter on base leg; it appeared to be at a normal altitude and attitude. He did not observe any smoke or anything falling from the helicopter. He looked away for a few seconds; when he looked back up, he did not see it. Witnesses on the ground observed the helicopter flying the base leg at altitudes similar to what they had observed other helicopters in the past. Several witnesses heard one or two pops. One witn
Probable cause
A loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination of the airframe and engine did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation and the student pilot's failure to maintain main rotor rpm. Contributing to the accident was the student pilot's low total flight experience.
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Browse: Washington · 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.
