Robinson R22 accident near Goshen, New York, March 22, 2011
On March 22, 2011 at about 5:15 pm local time, a Robinson R22 (helicopter), registered N259TW, was substantially damaged in an accident during enroute (cruise) near Goshen, New York. It was a personal 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 pilot’s failure to adhere to published preflight checklist limitations and procedures, resulting in excessive slack and subsequent failure of the power transmission belts and a total loss of rotor system drive.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- March 22, 2011 · about 5:15 pm local time
- Place
- Goshen, New York · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Robinson R22 BETA · all R22s on the register
- Registration
- N259TW · registry record · serial 3264
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
According to the pilot, following clutch engagement after engine start and warm up, it took 20 to 25 seconds for the main rotor to start turning. About 15 minutes into the flight and while cruising at 700 feet above ground level, the pilot heard a “flapping” noise and smelled burning rubber. He then “sensed” that the engine was losing power, observed numerous caution lights illuminate, and entered an autorotation. The helicopter subsequently impacted uneven terrain, which resulted in damage to the fuselage, as well as the main and tail rotor blades. Postaccident examination found that both power transmission belts had been ripped, mostly through the center of the backing, separating the two sides of the belt. A review of maintenance records showed that an airframe overhaul was completed about 4 months before the accident, which included replacement of both v-belts.According to the manufacturer’s maintenance manual, a delay of more than 5 seconds between clutch switch engagement and rotor turning indicates excessive belt slack. Power transmission belts that are too loose can jump out of their grooves during start up and jump forward into the next groove or off the forward edge of the pulley. The pre-engine start checklist instructs pilots to adjust the slack of the power transmission belt system so that the rotor begins turning within 5 seconds of clutch engagement. Evidence suggests that the pilot did not perform the recommended check.
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
- Preflight or dispatch event during prior to flight
- Powerplant sys/comp malf/fail during enroute (cruise) defining event
- Off-field or emergency landing during emergency descent
- Autorotation Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain)
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Action/decision › Action › Lack of action › Pilot
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft propeller/rotor › Main rotor drive › Engine/transmission coupling › Failure
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: helicopter
- Flight time: 2,000 hours in all; 2,000 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: February 3, 2011
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,200 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, November 10, 2010; 85 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,380 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-360J (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 26NK Hamptonburgh NY at 5:00 pm
- Destination: 4N1 West Milford NJ
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: dawn
- Wind: from 300° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 4,500 ft; clear
- Temperature: 48°F (9°C), dew point 34°F (1°C)
- Altimeter: 29.90 inHg
- Observation at 5:54 pm from MGJ
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight 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.