Robinson R22 Beta accident near Osage Beach, Missouri, June 25, 2005
On June 25, 2005 at about 4:15 pm local time, a Robinson R22 Beta (helicopter), registered N7195L, was destroyed in an accident near Osage Beach, Missouri. It was an other work-use 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
The pilot not maintaining clearance from the water while maneuvering for photographs.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 25, 2005 · about 4:15 pm local time
- Place
- Osage Beach, Missouri · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Robinson R22 Beta · all R22 Betas on the register
- Registration
- N7195L · no longer on the register · serial 3203
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Other work-use flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The helicopter was destroyed on impact with a lake. The pilot's accident report stated, "I was on a photo flight. We were taking pictures of boats on the Lake Of The Ozarks. I was descending from about 150 [feet above ground level] agl, to take photos. I tried to level off about 40 agl when the helicopter began to shutter and sink through. I pulled more collective which seemed to worsen the shudder. I began a flare and collided with the water for the most part skids level." The pilot did not list any mechanical malfunctions associated with the flight.
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: instructor: helicopter; instrument: helicopter; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 606 hours in all; 489 in this make and model; 175 in the last 90 days; 60 in the last 30 days
- Last flight review: February 1, 2005
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Last inspection: annual inspection
- Maximum gross weight: 1,370 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-360-J2A (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: AIZ Kaiser/Lake Oza MO at 3:35 pm
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Temperature: 0°F (-18°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 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.