Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA accident near Kingston, NJ
On August 31, 2023, a Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA (helicopter) was involved in an accident near Kingston, NJ. 1 person died. Damage to the aircraft: substantial.
- Date
- August 31, 2023
- Place
- Kingston, NJ
- Aircraft
- Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA · Helicopter
- Injuries
- 1 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Substantial
- Position
- 40.373°N, 74.620°W
- NTSB ID
- 20230831192977
Official records · ERA23FA357
- Public docket: reports, statements and exhibits from the investigation
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHTOn August 31, 2023, about 1525 eastern daylight time, a Robinson Helicopter R22 Beta, N2356M, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Kingston, New Jersey. The private pilot was fatally injured. The helicopter was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 instructional flight. The pilot was receiving flight training in the helicopter to upgrade his certificate level, and the pilot’s flight instructor stated that he had flown with the pilot for about 18 hours. The accident flight was the pilot’s second solo flight of their training, and the purpose was for the pilot to practice regular pattern work that did not include autorotations, only steep and shallow landing approaches. The pilot took off from Princeton Airport (39N), Princeton/Rocky Hill, New Jersey, about 1520 according to witnesses and ADS-B data provided by the FAA. He departed the airport traffic pattern, even though the pilot’s flight instructor stated he was supposed to remain in the pattern. The flight instructor further stated that after reviewing the flight track, he thought it was odd, that the ground track looked “weird,” and that it was not consistent with what they briefed. Shortly after departing the airport traffic pattern to the east, the helicopter climbed to 1,375 mean sea level (msl) then turned left on a north-northwest track of about 325°. The helicopter continued for about 1/2 mile before making a right 180° turn to the south on a track of about 185° for several miles before making a shallow right turn towards the Millstone River. An ey
Probable cause
A loss of control, which resulted in the main rotor blade severing the tail boom, for reasons that could not be determined.
More accidents in NJ
- Piper PA-32R-300, Aug 8, 2009
- Bell 206L-4, Apr 10, 2025
- Socata TBM 700, Dec 20, 2011
- Cessna T337G, Feb 15, 2010
- Piper PA-28-236, May 31, 2006
Browse: New Jersey · 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.
