Robinson R22 BETA accident near Wylie, Texas, August 1, 1991
On August 1, 1991 at about 5:45 pm local time, a Robinson R22 BETA (helicopter), registered N23TV, was substantially damaged in an accident near Wylie, Texas. It was an instructional flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
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The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CLEARANCE WITH THE WATER. A FACTOR WAS THE PILOT'S OSTENTATIOUS DISPLAY.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 4, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 1, 1991 · about 5:45 pm local time
- Place
- Wylie, Texas · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Robinson R22 BETA · all R22 BETAs on the register
- Registration
- N23TV · registry record · serial 1366
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE STUDENT PILOT WAS OBSERVED FLYING HIS RENTED HELICOPTER AT A LOW ALTITUDE OVER A LAKE NEAR SEVERAL BOATERS. HE LANDED ON AN ISLAND TO CHECK ON A VIBRATION. AFTER TAKEOFF, THE HELICOPTER WAS MANEUVERED CLOSE TO THE WATER. THE SKIDS CONTACTED THE WATER AND THE HELICOPTER SANK. NO MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION WAS REPORTED. THE PILOT AND OWNER DID NOT REPORT THE ACCIDENT TO ANY FEDERAL AGENCY.
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: student
- Flight time: 84 hours in all; 84 in this make and model
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: rgt
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 926 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, July 26, 1991; 29 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,370 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320-B2C (piston); 0 hours total
- Operator: Heli Tex INC.
The flight
- Departed from: 76F Wills Point TX at 5:20 pm
- Destination: NONE Garland TX
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 180° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 95°F (35°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 |
About this page
Everything above comes from the NTSB's public accident database: the narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words, and the coded tables behind its report (pilot, aircraft, flight, weather, injuries, sequence of events) are written out in plain English. Pilots' ages, home towns and medical details are left out on purpose. The docket at the NTSB holds the report as a PDF and the investigation's photographs and documents. This site never names pilots, passengers or anyone else involved. A preliminary report describes what is known soon after the event and can change; the final report, with the probable cause, usually follows one to two years later and this page is refreshed when it does. Case number FTW91LA138.