Robinson R22 BETA accident near Prnc Frederick, Maryland, April 22, 1990
On April 22, 1990 at about 5:45 pm local time, a Robinson R22 BETA (helicopter), registered N2580E, was substantially damaged in an accident near Prnc Frederick, Maryland. It was a flight of an unrecorded kind under charter and air-taxi rules (Part 135). 1 person had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
THE PILOT'S IMPROPER PLANNING/DECISION BY NOT SHUTTING DOWN THE ENGINE OR ASSURING THE HELICOPTER WAS PROPERLY ATTENDED,WHEN HE DEPLANED.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- April 22, 1990 · about 5:45 pm local time
- Place
- Prnc Frederick, Maryland · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Robinson R22 BETA · all R22 BETAs on the register
- Registration
- N2580E · no longer on the register · serial 0636
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Flight of an unrecorded kind · charter and air-taxi rules (Part 135)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
AFTER THE PASSENGER BOARDED THE HELICOPTER, THE PLT DEPLANED WITH THE ENG IDLING, SO HE COULD REMOVE THE PASSENGER DOOR. HE ENGAGED THE FRICTION LOCK ON THE COLLECTIVE & TOLD THE PASSENGER, WHO WAS NOT A PLT, TO KEEP THE CYCLIC CENTERED. AS THE PLT WAS REMOVING THE PASSENGER DOOR, HE HEARD THE ENG SOUND CHANGE. THE HELICOPTER THEN LIFTED OFF ABOUT 3 FT & SPUN RIGHT UNTIL THE TAIL ROTOR STRUCK THE GROUND. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE HELICOPTER ROLLED OVER & CRASHED. NO PREIMPACT MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION WAS RPRTD.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 206 hours in all; 194 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,204 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, April 6, 1990; 87 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,400 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320-B2C (piston); 0 hours total
- Operator: Steven Phillips Aviation
The flight
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 110° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 8 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 4,400 ft
- Temperature: 66°F (19°C), dew point 50°F (10°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 5:50 pm from DCA
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.