Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA accident near Sevierville, Tennessee, August 9, 2023
On August 9, 2023 at about 2:00 pm local time, a 1997 Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA, registered N798MG, was substantially damaged in an accident during landing (flare/touchdown) near Sevierville, Tennessee (Gatlinburg-Pigeon Forge Airpor airport). It was an instructional flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The flight instructor’s improper flight control inputs during the practice hovering autorotation that resulted in a loss of control and impact with terrain.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 9, 2023 · about 2:00 pm local time
- Place
- Sevierville, Tennessee · Gatlinburg-Pigeon Forge Airpor · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA, built 1997 · all R22 BETAs on the register
- Registration
- N798MG · registry record · serial 2704
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The flight instructor and his student were practicing hovering autorotations over an asphalt taxiway. The flight instructor reported that during the third autorotation, he either did not completely roll the throttle into the spring-loaded override, or he inadvertently allowed the throttle to open while arresting the descent. The helicopter climbed to about 25 ft above ground level and then it entered an uncontrolled right spin. The flight instructor immediately communicated to the student pilot that he had taken over the flight controls but was unsure if the student pilot had fully relinquished the flight controls. The flight instructor maneuvered the helicopter over a grass field and initiated a hovering autorotation. The helicopter landed hard and spread the skids, which resulted in substantial damage to the fuselage. The flight instructor shutdown the helicopter and he and his student were able to egress without further incident. The flight instructor reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.
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
- Hard landing during landing (flare/touchdown) defining event
- Simulated/training event during maneuvering (hover)
The NTSB's findings
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Configuration › Not attained/maintained
- Personnel issues › Action/decision › Action › Incorrect action selection › Instructor/check pilot
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Instructor/check pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: instructor: helicopter; instructor: instrument helicopter; instrument: helicopter; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 262.7 hours in all; 201.7 in this make and model; 76.2 in the last 90 days; 34.4 in the last 30 days; 203.6 as pilot in command; 40.6 on instruments
- Last flight review: July 23, 2023
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,591.7 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, July 20, 2023
- Maximum gross weight: 1,370 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-360-J2A (piston); 2,591 hours total
- Operator: Sevier County Aviation
The flight
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 10/2, 5,506 ft by 75 ft
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 300° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 75°F (24°C), dew point 68°F (20°C)
- Altimeter: 30.02 inHg
- Observation at 10:15 am from KDKX, 18 miles away
Weather report (METAR): KDKX 091415Z AUTO 30003KT 10SM CLR 24/20 A3002 RMK A01
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
3 documents, released by the NTSB on January 10, 2024. 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 | Photo Array | PDF, 4 pages | View Download |
| 3 | Robinson Flight Training Guide | 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.