FRANKLIN, LA, USA
N2329K
Robinson R22 BETA
The pilot of the helicopter returned to his point of departure to pick up some equipment. While there, he elected to refuel the helicopter. A pick-up truck, equipped with an auxiliary fuel tank, was driven to the right side of the helicopter, under the turning rotors, to refuel while the engine was running. The pilot stayed at the controls of the helicopter. Just prior to the start of the refueling operation, a gust of wind caused the main rotor blades to flex and impact the top of the truck's cab. The winds were reported from 170 degrees at 18 gusting 25 knots.
On April 19, 1996, at 1500 central daylight time, a Robinson R22 Beta helicopter, N2329K, was substantially damaged while refueling near Franklin, Louisiana. The helicopter owned by Mesquite Helicopters of Alice, Texas, was being operated by the pilot under Title 14 CFR Part 91. The commercial pilot and his passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight for which no flight plan was filed. According to the pilot, the helicopter returned to the initial point of departure to pick up additional equipment needed in the field. While there, the pilot elected to refuel the helicopter so he signaled to his father his intention to refuel. According to the operator the accident helicopter was routinely "hot refueled." The pilot's father drove a pick up truck equipped with an auxiliary fuel tank under the rotor disk of the running helicopter to accomplish the refueling task. The pilot said that he stayed at the controls of the helicopter. He further stated that just prior to the start of the refueling operation, a gust of wind caused the main rotor blades to flex impacting the top of the truck's cab. The helicopter rolled to the right into the truck resulting in structural damage to the helicopter and minor damage to the truck. Neither the truck driver nor his passenger were injured. The top of the truck's cab was measured at 70 inches above the ground. The rotor radius of the R22 helicopter is 151 inches, with 105 inches clearance from the top of the mast to the ground. In the enclosed pilot/operator report, the pilot recommends that "one major way to prevent this accident would be to not refuel the helicopter with the engine running and blades turning, or at least make sure to be out of the area of the blades." At the time of the accidents the winds at the accident site were reported from 170 degrees at 18 knots, gusting to 25 knots.
The pilot's poor judgment in attempting to refuel the helicopter with the engine (and rotors) operating. Factors relating to the accident were: the gusty wind condition, and close proximity of the vehicle that was allowed to be driven under the turning rotors.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
Aviation Accidents App
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