Robinson R-22 accident near New Iberia, Louisiana, October 18, 2007
On October 18, 2007 at about 2:15 pm local time, a Robinson R-22 (helicopter), registered N92HS, was substantially damaged in an accident near New Iberia, Louisiana (Acadiana Regional 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 private pilot's failure to maintain main rotor rpm, which resulted in a hard landing and subsequent rollover. Also causal was the flight instructor's delayed remedial action. A factor was the lack of suitable terrain the forced landing.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- October 18, 2007 · about 2:15 pm local time
- Place
- New Iberia, Louisiana · Acadiana Regional Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Robinson R-22 · all R-22s on the register
- Registration
- N92HS · registry record · serial 2142
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The private pilot, who was flying the single-engine helicopter, and his flight instructor departed Runway 16 and climbed to an altitude of 300 feet before initiating a left hand turn. Both pilots stated that during the turn, the nose of the helicopter made an uncommanded yaw to the left and the low-rotor RPM horn sounded and the caution light illuminated. In response, the instructor took control of the helicopter and immediately lowered the collective, "rolled on the throttle," and applied right anti-torque pedal to counteract the left yaw. When the helicopter was approximately 20 to 40-feet above the ground, the instructor executed an autorotation to a sugarcane field and landed perpendicular to the rows. The front skids dug into a row and the helicopter rolled on to its side separating the tailboom and left skid. Examination of the helicopter and engine did not reveal any pre mishap deficiencies or anomalies. Weather reported at the airport included wind from 210 degrees at 10 knots, visibility 10 statute miles, and a few clouds at 1,500 feet.
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
Flight instructor
- Certificate: flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: instructor: helicopter; instructor: instrument helicopter; instrument: helicopter; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 661 hours in all; 661 in this make and model; 208 in the last 90 days
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: instrument: helicopter; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 155 hours in all; 20 in this make and model; 30 in the last 90 days
- Last flight review: April 1, 2007
- Medical certificate: Class 2
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded
- Maximum gross weight: 1,370 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320-B2C (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: ARA New Iberia LA at 2:15 pm
- Flight plan: none
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 210° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: a few clouds at 1,500 ft
- Temperature: 82°F (28°C), dew point 75°F (24°C)
- Altimeter: 29.73 inHg
- Observation at 2:47 pm from KARA, 1 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 2 |
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.