Robinson R22 Beta, N827SH: Accident occurred August 27, 2021 in Arnaudville, Louisiana

This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when the final report has been completed. 

The National Transportation Safety Board did not travel to the scene of this accident. 

Additional Participating Entity: 

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Baton Rouge, Louisiana

1 Acadiana Helicopters Company LLC

https://registry.faa.gov/N827SH

Location: Arnaudville, LA

Accident Number: CEN21LA389

Date & Time: August 27, 2021, 07:15 Local

Registration: N827SH

Aircraft: ROBINSON HELICOPTER R22 BETA 

Injuries: 1 None

Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Positioning

On August 27, 2021, about 0715 central daylight time, a Robinson R22 helicopter, N827SH, sustained substantial damage when it was involved in an accident near Arnaudville, Louisiana. The pilot was not injured. The helicopter was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 positioning flight.

According to the pilot, while attempting to land at his staging location for a planned aerial application flight, the helicopter began to rotate to the right. The pilot was unable to regain control, the helicopter skids impacted a dirt field, and the helicopter rolled over onto its right side.

The helicopter sustained substantial damage to its main rotor blades and fuselage. While disassembling the helicopter for recovery, the tail rotor output shaft was found fractured. The shaft was retained for further examination.

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: ROBINSON HELICOPTER

Registration: N827SH

Model/Series: R22 BETA 

Aircraft Category: Helicopter

Amateur Built:

Operator:

Operating Certificate(s) Held: Agricultural aircraft (137)

Operator Designator Code:

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: VMC

Condition of Light: Day

Observation Facility, Elevation: KLFT,42 ft msl 

Observation Time: 06:53 Local

Distance from Accident Site: 12 Nautical Miles

Temperature/Dew Point: 23°C /22°C

Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear

Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 3 knots / , 40°

Lowest Ceiling: None

Visibility: 7 miles

Altimeter Setting: 29.96 inches Hg 

Type of Flight Plan Filed: None

Departure Point: Arnaudville, LA

Destination: Arnaudville, LA

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 None

Aircraft Damage: Substantial

Passenger Injuries:

Aircraft Fire: None

Ground Injuries: 

Aircraft Explosion: None

Total Injuries: 1 None 

Latitude, Longitude: 30.395296,-91.934586 (est)