Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA accident near Sugarland, Texas, November 14, 2015
On November 14, 2015 at about 3:50 pm local time, a 1998 Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA, registered N7058Z, was substantially damaged in an accident during maneuvering (low-alt flying) near Sugarland, Texas. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The overspeed of the main rotor system for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- November 14, 2015 · about 3:50 pm local time
- Place
- Sugarland, Texas · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA, built 1998 · all R22 BETAs on the register
- Registration
- N7058Z · no longer on the register · serial 2896
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The private pilot stated that, while approaching the landing site at the conclusion of the 50-minute flight, the helicopter's main rotor experienced an overspeed condition. The pilot reduced the throttle but was unable to reduce the rotor rpm, and he initiated an autorotation to a field. The pilot reported that the helicopter's rotor had oversped about 2 weeks before the accident. A 50-hour inspection after the previous overspeed event did not reveal any anomalies. A postaccident visual examination of the helicopter by inspectors from the Federal Aviation Administration did not reveal any anomalies, and the reason for the overspeed of the main rotor system could not be determined.
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
- Loss of engine power (total) during maneuvering (low-alt flying) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- cause Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft propeller/rotor › Main rotor system › (general) › Not specified
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 257 hours in all; 257 in this make and model; 70 in the last 90 days; 25 in the last 30 days; 125 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 799 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, October 21, 2015
- Maximum gross weight: 1,369 lb
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-360-J2A (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: KGYB Giddings TX at 2:55 pm
- Destination: KGYB Giddings TX
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 100° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 64°F (18°C), dew point 43°F (6°C)
- Altimeter: 30.36 inHg
- Observation at 4:15 pm from KTME, 5 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
2 documents, released by the NTSB on February 16, 2017. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 11 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Record of Conversation FAA | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
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.