Robinson R22 BETA accident near Asherton, Texas, October 28, 2016
On October 28, 2016 at about 3:00 pm local time, a 2005 Robinson R22 BETA (helicopter), registered N522KC, was substantially damaged in an accident during maneuvering (low-alt flying) near Asherton, Texas. It was an aerial observation flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The partial loss of engine power due to the failure of the magneto's internal timing during low-altitude maneuvering.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- October 28, 2016 · about 3:00 pm local time
- Place
- Asherton, Texas · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Robinson R22 BETA, built 2005 · all R22 BETAs on the register
- Registration
- N522KC · no longer on the register · serial 3939
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Aerial observation flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The helicopter experienced a loss in rotor rpm while maneuvering during a low-level wildlife survey. The commercial pilot then performed a forced landing to a field. Postaccident examination of the helicopter revealed that one of the engine magnetos had an internal timing, efficiency gap failure, which would have resulted in improper engine ignition timing and loss of engine power/rpm. Examination also revealed that the magneto distributer gear was loose and that the distributer gear bushing was flapping around.
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
- Powerplant sys/comp malf/fail during maneuvering (low-alt flying)
- Loss of engine power (partial) during maneuvering (low-alt flying) defining event
- Off-field or emergency landing during emergency descent
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Ignition system › Magneto/distributor › Failure
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Prop/rotor parameters › Attain/maintain not possible
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 10,500 hours in all; 10,000 in this make and model; 200 in the last 90 days
- Medical certificate: Unknown
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1,803 hours
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-360-J2A (piston); 1,803 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: Asherton TX
- Destination: Asherton TX
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 080° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear at 1,500 ft
- Temperature: 73°F (23°C), dew point 61°F (16°C)
- Altimeter: 30.21 inHg
- Observation at 2:53 pm from COT, 25 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
3 documents, released by the NTSB on October 2, 2018. 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 | Request for NTSB Accident Report Form 6120 | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 2 | Record of Correspondence - FAA | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 3 | Record of Conversation - Repair Station | 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.