LEWISVILLE, TX, USA
N2306C
ROBINSON R22
DURING A DAY FERRY FLIGHT, THE PRIVATE PILOT EXPERIENCED BINDING OF THE FLIGHT CONTROLS AND LANDED THE HELICOPTER ON A LAKE. AFTER MOVING THE CONTROLS WHILE FLOATING ON THE SURFACE, THE BINDING WENT AWAY. AFTER HE TOOK OFF AGAIN, THE CONTROLS WOULD NOT RESPOND TO INPUTS AND BOUND UP. THE HELICOPTER DESCENDED OUT OF CONTROL AND IMPACTED THE WATER. EXAMINATION OF THE HELICOPTER REVEALED NUMEROUS PIECES OF HARDWARE, WASHERS, NUTS, AND COTTER KEYS ON THE DECK IMMEDIATELY BEHIND THE TRANSMISSION AND BELOW THE FLIGHT CONTROLS. THE HELICOPTER HAD A TOTAL OF 20 HOURS SINCE NEW. NO SUBSEQUENT MAINTENANCE HAD BEEN PERFORMED.
LOSS OF CONTROL DUE TO FOREIGN OBJECT DAMAGE INDUCED BINDING FLIGHT CONTROLS. A FACTOR WAS IMPROPER MAINTENANCE.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
Aviation Accidents App
In-Depth Access to Aviation Accident Reports
