Aviation Accident Preliminary Report - National Transportation Safety Board: https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf
California Spyder LLC
Location: Fort Myers, FL
Accident Number: ERA20LA310
Date & Time: 09/06/2020, 0900 EDT
Registration: N194HC
Aircraft: Robinson R22
Injuries: 2 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Instructional
On September 6, 2020, about 0900 eastern daylight time, a Robinson R22 Mariner helicopter, N194HC, was involved in an accident at Page Field (FMY), Fort Myers, Florida. The flight instructor and pilot receiving instruction were not injured. The instructional flight was conducted under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91.
Both pilots submitted written statements, and their versions of events were consistent throughout. The preflight and engine-start procedures were completed by the checklist with no anomalies noted. As the engine was accelerated to near its operating rpm, each pilot heard a loud "bang." The student leaned out his door and announced that "the tail was hanging off the back of the aircraft." The engine was stopped, and the event was reported to the helicopter's owner and his mechanic.
Examination of photographs revealed damage to the tailrotor gearbox, tailrotor blades, and the tailcone's section forward of the tailrotor gearbox. These areas and components were sectioned and forwarded to the NTSB Materials Laboratory in Washington, DC for examination.
Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information
Aircraft Make: Robinson
Registration: N194HC
Model/Series: R22 MARINER
Aircraft Category: Helicopter
Amateur Built: No
Operator: On file
Operating Certificate(s) Held: Pilot School (141)
Meteorological Information and Flight Plan
Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: FMY, 16 ft msl
Observation Time:1253 UTC
Distance from Accident Site:
Temperature/Dew Point: 27°C / 24°C
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 7 knots / , 50°
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility: 10 Miles
Altimeter Setting: 30.01 inches Hg
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Departure Point: Fort Myers, FL (FMY)
Destination: Fort Myers, FL (FMY)
Wreckage and Impact Information
Crew Injuries: 2 None
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 2 None
Latitude, Longitude: 26.586667, -81.863333 (est)
