Robinson R22 Beta accident near Seneca, Illinois, August 24, 2002
On August 24, 2002 at about 6:30 pm local time, a Robinson R22 Beta (helicopter), registered N102MH, was substantially damaged in an accident near Seneca, Illinois. It was a business 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 loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. Factors were the low altitude, the trees, and the unsuitable terrain encountered for the forced landing.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 24, 2002 · about 6:30 pm local time
- Place
- Seneca, Illinois · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Robinson R22 Beta · all R22 Betas on the register
- Registration
- N102MH · no longer on the register · serial 0519
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Business flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The helicopter was damaged when it collided with trees and terrain during landing approach after a loss of engine power. The pilot stated that he was preparing to turn from the downwind leg of the landing approach to the base leg. He stated that he applied carburetor heat and the engine stopped producing power. The pilot autorotated and landed in trees that were below the helicopter when the engine failed. A postaccident examination of the helicopter revealed that the inner wire of the carburetor heat control cable was fractured. The carburetor heat slide valve was found in an intermediate position. No other preexisting anomalies were found.
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
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: rotorcraft: helicopter
- Last flight review: January 11, 2002
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,409.8 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, November 30, 2001; 60.2 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,370 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 1IL7 Seneca IL at 6:00 pm
- Destination: Seneca IL
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 360° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 5,500 ft; a few clouds at 2,800 ft
- Temperature: 79°F (26°C), dew point 64°F (18°C)
- Altimeter: 29.98 inHg
- Observation at 6:53 pm from ARR, 30 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
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.