Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA accident near Spearman, Texas, February 7, 2025
On February 7, 2025 at about 10:40 pm local time, a 2000 Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA, registered N7191B, was substantially damaged in an accident during maneuvering (low-alt flying) near Spearman, Texas. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
Improperly torqued intake manifold bolts that allowed unmetered air to enter the engine, resulting in an overly lean fuel-air mixture, eventual failure of the No. 3 cylinder intake valve, and a total loss of engine power.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- February 7, 2025 · about 10:40 pm local time
- Place
- Spearman, Texas · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA, built 2000 · all R22 BETAs on the register
- Registration
- N7191B · no longer on the register · serial 3074
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that, while performing an aerial inspection of a fence, he heard a loud bang come from the engine and the helicopter began to shake and lose altitude. The shaking stopped momentarily but then started again and the engine lost total power. The pilot performed a forced landing, during which the helicopter impacted cedar trees and then rolled several times down a hill. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the fuselage, tail boom, and main rotor gearbox. A postaccident inspection of the engine revealed that the No. 3 cylinder intake valve head was burned and chipped specifically on the combustion face, margin, and seat face. Additionally, the bolts that secured the intake manifold system to the engine block were loose. A review of maintenance records revealed that all four engine cylinders were removed for overhaul and reinstalled about 8 months before the accident due to low compression. According to the pilot, who was also the owner of the helicopter, about one month before the accident (about 360 hours after the cylinders were overhauled), the No. 1 cylinder was replaced due to the intake valve head being burned. According the engine manufacturer, when engine cylinders are removed and/or reinstalled, the bolts that secure the intake manifold system to the engine block need to be removed to manipulate the cylinders. It is likely that when the cylinders were removed 8 months before the accident for overhaul and reinstallation, the bolts that secured the intake manifold system to the engine block were not properly torqued when the cylinders were reinstalled. The loose intake manifold system likely allowed unmetered air into the engine, resulting in an overly lean fuel/air mixture, which resulted in damage to both the No. 1 and No. 3 cylinder intake valves. The damage to the valves would likely result in poor combustion and a decrease in engine performance.
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) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Engine (reciprocating) › Recip eng cyl section › Failure
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › Object/animal/substance › Tree(s) › Contributed to outcome
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › Terrain › Sloped/uneven terrain › Contributed to outcome
- Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Engine (reciprocating) › Recip eng cyl section › Incorrect service/maintenance
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Maintenance › Repair › Maintenance personnel
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 17,136 hours in all; 15,008 in this make and model; 182 in the last 90 days; 43 in the last 30 days; 17,036 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: January 24, 2024
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,900 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, January 23, 2025
- Maximum gross weight: 1,375 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-360 (piston); 3,862 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: Pampa TX at 4:20 pm
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 130° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 63°F (17°C), dew point 32°F (0°C)
- Altimeter: 29.79 inHg
- Observation at 4:51 pm from E42, 10 miles away
Weather report (METAR): 13012KT 10SM CLR 17/01 A2979
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Photographs from the investigation 3 pictures from the NTSB's docket, as the NTSB released them
Photograph 1 – Accident Helicopter
Photograph 2 – Accident Helicopter
Photograph 3 – Damaged Number 3 Cylinder Intake ValveThe NTSB's photographs with the NTSB's captions, at screen size. Open a picture to see it full size or to report one that should not be shown.
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
6 documents, released by the NTSB on January 14, 2026. 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 | Maintenance Records | PDF, 13 pages | View Download |
| 3 | Engine Examination Summary | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 4 | Photos | PDF, 4 pages · our copy | View Download |
| 5 | Mor-harsanyi | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 6 | Party Form | 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.