Robinson R22 BETA accident near Sarita, Texas, January 27, 2000
On January 27, 2000 at about 2:45 pm local time, a Robinson R22 BETA (helicopter), registered N2330F, was substantially damaged in an accident near Sarita, Texas. It was an other work-use 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 failure of the pilot to maintain main rotor rpm, which resulted in a hard landing.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- January 27, 2000 · about 2:45 pm local time
- Place
- Sarita, Texas · 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 R22 BETAs on the register
- Registration
- N2330F · registry record · serial 2153
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Other work-use flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The helicopter's mission was to harvest Nilgai antelope. After the passenger shot a second Nilgai antelope, the pilot maneuvered the helicopter downwind at 50 knots and 70 feet agl, to lead the animal recovery vehicle to where the first antelope had fallen. The pilot executed a right turn to come to a hover over the antelope. As he started a 'quick-stop, the engine began to lug down.' He 'rolled on the throttle, overriding the governor, and nosed [the helicopter] over while lowering the collective.' The main rotor low rpm warning sounded about the time he applied forward cyclic. The helicopter was 'gaining airspeed but the rpm kept declining.' The pilot 'milked' the collective; however, he was unable to regain rotor rpm. At about 3-5 feet agl, the rotor rpm was at 80 percent. The pilot leveled the helicopter and attempted a run-on landing. The helicopter landed hard, and a main rotor blade struck the tail boom, separating it at mid-length.
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: rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 599 hours in all; 588 in this make and model; 282 in the last 90 days; 109 in the last 30 days; 503 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: rgt
The aircraft
- Last inspection: annual inspection; 57 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,370 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320-B2C (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: NONE Kennedy Ranch TX at 2:20 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 090° at 10 knots, gusting 12
- Visibility: 3 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 500 ft; not recorded
- Temperature: 45°F (7°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.