Robinson R22 accident near Venice, Louisiana, July 8, 2020
On July 8, 2020 at about 2:45 pm local time, a 2000 Robinson R22 (helicopter), registered N7186K, was substantially damaged in an accident during maneuvering (low-alt flying) near Venice, Louisiana. 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
A partial loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined based on available evidence.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 8, 2020 · about 2:45 pm local time
- Place
- Venice, Louisiana · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Robinson R22 Beta II, built 2000 · all R22s on the register
- Registration
- N7186K · no longer on the register · serial 3031
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Aerial observation flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot of the helicopter was conducting an aerial survey about 30 ft above the ground when the engine lost partial power. The pilot performed an autorotation to swampy terrain, and upon landing, the helicopter settled to the left and the main rotor blades impacted the ground. One main rotor blade and the main rotor pitch links sustained substantial damaged. An engine run was conducted after the wreckage was recovered. The engine started and was run at partial power while still installed in the accident helicopter using fuel that remained in the fuel tanks. Both magnetos were checked and operated normally during the engine run. No anomalies were noted with the engine. Weather conditions at the nearest weather reporting station about the time of the accident were not conducive to the development of carburetor icing. The reason for the partial loss of engine power could not be determined based on the available information.
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 (partial) during maneuvering (low-alt flying) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Altitude › Attain/maintain not possible
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 15,872 hours in all; 15,872 in this make and model; 197 in the last 90 days
- Last flight review: May 1, 2020
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,865 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, May 26, 2020; 65 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,369 lb
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O&VO-360 SER (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 240° at 10 knots
- Temperature: 90°F (32°C), dew point 77°F (25°C)
- Altimeter: 30.01 inHg
- Observation at 9:53 am from KMSY, 70 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
4 documents, released by the NTSB on May 10, 2022. 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 | Pilot Statement | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 3 | Photos | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 4 | Engine Run - Record of Conversation | 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.