Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA accident near Tucson, Arizona, December 14, 2011
On December 14, 2011 at about 4:33 pm local time, a Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA, registered N4052G, was substantially damaged in an accident during maneuvering near Tucson, Arizona (Tucson International Airport). It was an other work-use flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A loss of engine power due to the pilot's failure to utilize carburetor heat while maneuvering. .
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- December 14, 2011 · about 4:33 pm local time
- Place
- Tucson, Arizona · Tucson International Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA · all R22 BETAs on the register
- Registration
- N4052G · no longer on the register · serial 1765
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Other work-use flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot was flying a series of maneuvers when he broadcasted to the local air traffic controller a loss of engine power. During the forced landing, the helicopter impacted terrain and was found resting on its right side. The pilot did not recall the events of the accident. During the postaccident airframe and engine examinations, the engine was started and operated over a range of power settings, from idle to full power. After several minutes of normal operation, the engine was shut down. Further examination of the engine and airframe revealed no evidence of any mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. During the cabin examination, the carburetor heat control knob was found in the down or “OFF” position. The latch that locks the carburetor control knob in the down position was found engaged around the shaft of the control knob. The latch and its attachment bracket were bent upward. A review of the carburetor icing chart revealed that the helicopter was operating in an area conducive to serious icing at cruise power. It is likely that the pilot did not utilize carburetor heat, which resulted in the accumulation of ice in the carburetor and the subsequent loss of engine power.
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
What happened, in order
- Loss of engine power (total) during maneuvering defining event
- Autorotation Hard landing
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Use of equip/system › Pilot
- cause Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Temp/humidity/pressure › Conducive to carburetor icing › Effect on equipment
Pilot
- Certificate: flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: airplane single-engine; instrument: airplane; rotorcraft: glider; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 967 hours in all; 126 in this make and model; 9 in the last 90 days; 5 in the last 30 days; 855 as pilot in command; 1 on instruments
- Last flight review: September 3, 2011
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 9,968.6 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, November 25, 2011; 18 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,370 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-360-J2A (piston); 0 hours total
- Operator: Raytheon Missile Systems
The flight
- Departed from: TUS Tucson AZ
- Destination: TUS Tucson AZ
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 11L, 10,996 ft by 150 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 4,100 ft
- Temperature: 46°F (8°C), dew point 39°F (4°C)
- Altimeter: 30.18 inHg
- Observation at 3:53 pm from TUS, 13 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight 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.