Robinson R 22B accident near Carmel, Indiana, July 24, 1991
On July 24, 1991 at about 11:00 pm local time, a Robinson R 22B (helicopter), registered N8017D, was destroyed in an accident near Carmel, Indiana. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people were killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
THE PILOT'S DELAYING REMEDIAL ACTION. FACTORS IN THE ACCIDENT WERE THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO ATTAIN ADEQUATE ROTOR RPM FOR TAKEOFF, FAILURE TO ABORT TAKEOFF AND LACK OF TOTAL EXPERIENCE IN HELICOPTERS.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 24, 1991 · about 11:00 pm local time
- Place
- Carmel, Indiana · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Robinson R 22B · all R 22Bs on the register
- Registration
- N8017D · registry record · serial 1009
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
AN INACTIVE PRIVATE PILOT WITH 150 AIRPLANE HOURS RESUMED FLYING WITH INSTRUCTION LEADING TO A HELICOPTER RATING AFTER 35 HOURS IN TYPE. ON HIS FIRST FLIGHT SINCE THE CHECK DATE, THE PILOT RENTED A HELICOPTER FOR A SIGHTSEEING EXCURSION. WITNESSES RECOUNTED A TAKEOFF AND DEPARTURE WITH LOW ENGINE AND ROTOR RPM. THE AIRCRAFT CRASHED UPRIGHT, ONE HALF MILE FROM TAKEOFF IN A STEEP DESCENT; LOW ROTOR ENERGY WAS EVIDENT. NO MECHANICAL OR MATERIAL FAILURE WAS 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: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 188 hours in all; 37 in this make and model; 34 in the last 90 days; 10 in the last 30 days; 137 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: rgt
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 868 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, June 15, 1991; 63 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,370 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320-B2C (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 320° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 9,500 ft; scat at 8,600 ft
- Temperature: 77°F (25°C), dew point 57°F (14°C)
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observation at 10:53 pm from IND, 17 miles away
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.
Other NTSB records under N8017D the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
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.