Robinson R22 accident near Huy, Be, April 6, 2012
On April 6, 2012 at about 3:50 pm local time, a Robinson R22 (helicopter), registered OODTZ, was destroyed in an accident during maneuvering (hover) near Huy. It was flown under non-U.S. commercial rules. 2 people were killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
This accident is under the jurisdiction and control of the Belgium government.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- April 6, 2012 · about 3:50 pm local time
- Place
- Huy, Belgium
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Robinson R22 Beta II · all R22s on the register
- Registration
- OODTZ · no longer on the register · serial 847
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Flight · non-U.S. commercial rules
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
On April 6, 2012, at 1550 coordinated universal time, a Robinson R-22 Beta II, Belgium-registered OO-DTZ, owned and operated by Bedrijfswagens Degroote N.V., was destroyed when it impacted terrain near Huy, Belgium. A postimpact fire ensued. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The pilot and one passenger were fatally injured. The flight originated from Namur-Suarlée Airfield(EBNM), Namur, Belgium, approximately 1500. The Belgium investigators received reports that the helicopter was observed hovering near cableway cables. Subsequently the helicopter collided with the cables and then the terrain. The accident investigation is under the jurisdiction and control of the Belgium government. This report is for information purposes only and contains only information released by or obtained from the Belgium government or the Ministry of Mobility and Transport of Belgium Air Accident Investigation Unit. Further information pertaining to this accident may be obtained from: Ministry of Mobility and Transport of Belgium Air Accident Investigation Unit (Belgium) Rue du Progrès 80 Bte 5 1030 Brussels, Belgium
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
What happened, in order
- Controlled flight into terrain or object (CFIT) during maneuvering (hover) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- cause Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Other authority investigated
Crew member
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: rotorcraft: helicopter
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1,307.3 hours
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-360-J2A (piston); 0 hours total
- Fire on the ground
The flight
- Departed from: EBNM Namur at 3:00 pm
- Destination: EBNM Namur
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 0°F (-18°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight 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.