Pilot Debrief

Robinson R22 near Danbury, TX — 2019-06-28

Final reportCEN19LA187
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Date
2019-06-28
Location
Danbury, TX, USA
Aircraft
Robinson R22
Registration
N26498
Category
Helicopter
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Maneuvering

Probable cause

A failed electrical relay, which provided an improper indication of a governor and clutch problem, which resulted in the pilot conducting a precautionary landing during which he failed to maintain sufficient main rotor speed.

NTSB narrative

The pilot was conducting low-altitude pollination operations over a rice field when the governor caution light and the clutch caution light illuminated in succession; in response, the pilot reduced engine power. While landing in the field, the main rotor blades drooped and hit the tail cone, substantially damaging the helicopter. Postaccident inspection found that a failed electrical relay caused the governor light to illuminate, but the electrical relay by itself would not affect governor operation. No other anomalies were found with the helicopter, including the clutch system, that would have precluded normal operation. The accident sequence is consistent with the pilot responding to the governor caution light by reducing power but then letting the main rotor speed decaying too much during landing, such that the main rotor blades drooped and hit the tail cone.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Mechanical failure
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have aborted the flight after the clutch light illuminated.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 2 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents2

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