Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA accident near West Palm Beach, Florida, November 5, 2011
On November 5, 2011 at about 9:20 pm local time, a Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA, registered N413RM, was substantially damaged in an accident during maneuvering (low-alt flying) near West Palm Beach, Florida. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot’s failure to maintain airspeed during a low-altitude turn into gusty tailwind conditions, which resulted in a loss of translational lift and settling with power. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's lack of total flight experience.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- November 5, 2011 · about 9:20 pm local time
- Place
- West Palm Beach, Florida · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA · all R22 BETAs on the register
- Registration
- N413RM · no longer on the register · serial 1412
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot of the helicopter received his private pilot certificate less than 4 months before the accident and had accumulated a total flight experience of 67 hours. He and a passenger were circling a boatyard about 600 feet above ground level (agl) at 60 knots with the intention of taking photographs. The pilot reported that, as he turned southbound (downwind) with the carburetor heat on, he noticed a loss of airspeed. He moved the cyclic forward in an attempt to maintain airspeed; however, the low rotor rpm horn sounded, and he performed an autorotation to a residential area. The helicopter impacted power lines, trees, and a residence. Recorded weather data revealed that the wind was from the north-northeast at 16 knots, gusting to 24 knots. Review of radar data revealed that the pilot turned into a tailwind at an altitude of 300 to 400 feet agl. Speed calculations based on the radar data revealed that the airspeed decreased from about 39 to 31 knots during the turn. The calculations did not include wind gusts, and, given the magnitude of the gusts, it is likely that the helicopter’s airspeed slowed to the point where it lost translational lift and began to settle with power. A subsequent examination of the wreckage, including a successful test-run of the engine, did not reveal any preimpact mechanical malfunctions. The helicopter manufacturer recommends that photo flights should only be conducted by well trained, experienced pilots who have at least 500 hours pilot-in-command time in helicopters and over 100 hours in the model of helicopter flown.
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
- Settling with power/vortex ring state during maneuvering (low-alt flying) defining event
- Autorotation Off-field or emergency landing
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during landing
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Airspeed › Not attained/maintained
- factor Personnel issues › Experience/knowledge › Experience/qualifications › Total experience › Pilot
- Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Wind › Tailwind › Effect on operation
- Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Wind › Gusts › Effect on operation
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: instrument: helicopter
- Flight time: 67 hours in all; 42 in this make and model; 8 in the last 90 days; 1 in the last 30 days; 21 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: July 26, 2011
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 5,330 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, October 13, 2011; 53 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,370 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320-B2C (piston); 0 hours total
- Operator: Ocean Helicopters Inc
The flight
- Departed from: F45 West Palm Beach FL at 8:30 pm
- Destination: F45 West Palm Beach FL
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 020° at 16 knots, gusting 24
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 5,500 ft; scat at 3,000 ft
- Temperature: 79°F (26°C), dew point 64°F (18°C)
- Altimeter: 29.94 inHg
- Observation at 7:53 pm from PBI, 4 miles away
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.