BARSTOW, CA, USA
N2321R
ROBINSON R-22B
THE HELICOPTER WAS ENGAGED IN FILMING AN OFF ROAD VEHICLE RACE FOR A MAJOR SPORTS TELEVISION NETWORK. THE PILOT SAID HE WAS FOLLOWING THE RACE CARS ON THE COURSE AND MADE A LOW ALTITUDE TURN INTO A TAILWIND HE LATER DISCOVERED WAS 20 KNOTS OR GREATER. THE HELICOPTER LOST MAIN ROTOR RPM, DESCENDED INTO A HILLSIDE AND ROLLED OVER. ACCORDING TO THE LIMITATIONS SECTION OF THE ROBINSON R22B POH, THE MAXIMUM DEMONSTRATED TAILWIND COMPONENT CAPABILITY IS 17 KNOTS.
1) THE PILOT'S MANEUVERING AT LOW ALTITUDE INTO A TAILWIND CONDITION WHICH EXCEEDED THE PERFORMANCE CAPABILITIES OF THE HELICOPTER, 2) HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN PROPER MAIN ROTOR RPM, AND 3) THE PILOT'S SELECTION OF AN ALTITUDE FOR THE MANEUVERS WHICH WAS TOO LOW TO ALLOW FOR REMEDIAL ACTION.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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