Robinson R22 BETA II N3059Q accident near Gillett, Texas

Probable cause

A loss of tail rotor effectiveness while manuevering at low altitude.

NTSB analysis

The pilot and a passenger were conducting an aerial hunt at low altitude. The pilot said he was about 20 feet above 30-foot-tall trees and flying into the wind slowly when the tail rotor "malfunctioned" and he lost control. The helicopter started spinning to the right, and the pilot initiated an autorotation. The helicopter landed hard and rolled over on its left side. The pilot stated that he thought the helicopter had lost tail rotor authority. Examination of the tail rotor found no evidence of a tail rotor malfunction or defects that would preclude normal operation. The pilot was operating the helicopter in a low airspeed, out of ground effect, high-power-demand flight condition, which was conducive to the development of loss of tail rotor effectiveness.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN13LA148 for the full record.