Robinson R22 BETA accident near Lubbock, Texas, November 15, 1997
On November 15, 1997 at about 5:00 pm local time, a Robinson R22 BETA (helicopter), registered N26026, was substantially damaged in an accident near Lubbock, 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).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
failure of the student pilot to maintain control of the helicopter during hover out-of-ground-effect. A related factor was: the student pilot's lack of experience in flying helicopters.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- November 15, 1997 · about 5:00 pm local time
- Place
- Lubbock, 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
- N26026 · no longer on the register · serial 0690
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The student pilot reported that he had established an out-of-ground-effect hover at 200 feet AGL. He further reported that, the 'wind turned the ship to the right abruptly,' to a westerly heading. To correct, he applied left pedal, 'but not enough' and the helicopter began 'to lose altitude and control,' so he released pressure on the left pedal, thinking he had compensated incorrectly. As the helicopter continued turning to the right, he began to apply left pedal. As the helicopter kept turning to the right, the pilot applied full left pedal. The descent continued, and the helicopter completed another 360 degree turn and contacted a fence. The pilot estimated the winds were from 010 degrees at 8 knots. No control system anomaly was found. Performance charts indicated that the helicopter was within it's flight envelope during the hover.
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
- Flight time: 20 hours in all
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: rgt
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 6,914 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, October 31, 1997; 43 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,400 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320-B2C (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: F82 TX at 4:00 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 010° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 30°F (-1°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 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.