Robinson R22 Beta accident near Houston, Texas, June 12, 2003
On June 12, 2003 at about 2:30 pm local time, a Robinson R22 Beta (helicopter), registered N7198H, was substantially damaged in an accident near Houston, Texas. It was an instructional 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 rotor RPM and the improper landing flare resulting in a hard landing. A contributing factor was the prevailing high winds.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 12, 2003 · about 2:30 pm local time
- Place
- Houston, Texas · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Robinson R22 Beta · all R22 Betas on the register
- Registration
- N7198H · no longer on the register · serial 3165
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
Upon completion of the pipeline patrol flight, while returning to DWH airport, the flight instructor rolled the throttle to flight idle to simulate a loss of engine power. The student pilot lowered the collective and initiated an autorotation to an open field, into the prevailing strong southerly wind. A high rate of descent developed during the autorotation and during the ensuing landing, the helicopter landed hard and bounced, which resulted in the separating of the tail boom from the fuselage. Winds were reported from 180 degrees at 16 knots, gusting to 21 knots. Despite repeated attempts by the investigator-in-charge (IIC), the pilot never returned a completed Pilot Operator Aircraft Accident Report Form (NTSB Form 6120.1/2).
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
- Ratings: instructor: helicopter; instrument: helicopter; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 1,500 hours in all; 800 in this make and model
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
Dual student
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Last inspection: annual inspection
- Maximum gross weight: 1,940 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-360-A1D (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: DWH Houston TX at 1:00 pm
- Destination: DWH
- Flight plan: none
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 130° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 79°F (26°C), dew point 75°F (24°C)
- Altimeter: 29.80 inHg
- Observation at 1:53 pm from DWH
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.