Robinson R22 accident near Albany, Texas, September 29, 1990
On September 29, 1990 at about 5:00 pm local time, a Robinson R22 (helicopter), registered N2550B, was substantially damaged in an accident near Albany, Texas. It was an other work-use flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
FUEL STARVATION POWER LOSS DUE TO THE INADVERTENT MOVEMENT OF THE FUEL SELECTOR VALVE BY THE PASSENGER.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 29, 1990 · about 5:00 pm local time
- Place
- Albany, Texas · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Robinson R22 · all R22s on the register
- Registration
- N2550B · registry record · serial 0611
- 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 WAS BEING MANEUVERED AT A LOW ALTITUDE (APPROXIMATELY 70 TO 80 FEET AGL) AND A LOW AIRSPEED DURING A COYOTE HUNT WHEN A TOTAL LOSS OF POWER OCCURRED AS THE PILOT INITIATED A LEFT BANKING TURN. A DOWNWIND AUTOROTATION WAS ATTEMPTED AND A HARD LANDING RESULTED. THE FUEL SELECTOR SWITCH LOCATED NEAR THE PASSENGER SEAT WAS FOUND BETWEEN THE 'ON' AND 'OFF' POSITION. APPROXIMATELY 5 TO 6 GALLONS OF FUEL REMAINED IN THE TANK. THE PILOT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER MAY HAVE ACCIDENTALLY MOVED THE SWITCH AS HE WAS SHOOTING FROM THE DOORWAY DURING THE FLIGHT.
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: single-engine land; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 14,558 hours in all; 8,914 in this make and model; 295 in the last 90 days; 111 in the last 30 days; 13,858 as pilot in command; 30 on instruments
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: rgt
The aircraft
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded; 0 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,370 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320-B2C (piston); 0 hours total
- Operator: Lange Helicopters, INC.
The flight
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 135° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 82°F (28°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.