No fatalities

Collision between Robinson R-22 and T-6G during departure (N226AP)

Cypress, TX, United States

On January 31, 2009, a NORTH AMERICAN T-6G (registration N226AP) operated by Warbird Skyventures, Inc. was involved in an aviation accident near Cypress, TX. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Both pilots failed to see and avoid the other aircraft. This summary draws on records from NTSB; 12 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

SourcesNTSBPrimary reportUpdated 2026-08-03Data APIEditorial standards

A collision occurred between a Robinson R-22 helicopter and a T-6G airplane while both were operating near the runway, resulting in the helicopter impacting the ground. The investigation attributed the accident to both pilots failing to see and avoid each other.

What happened

A flight instructor was conducting training maneuvers with a student pilot in a Robinson R-22 helicopter. The pair were practicing hovering and "hovering auto" techniques in preparation for an upcoming check ride. They air-taxied to the runway and announced their departure intentions on the common traffic advisory frequency.

After making a quick stop, the helicopter crew announced they were "on the go." Simultaneously, the pilot of a T-6G airplane also announced that she was departing. As the helicopter moved over the grass area slightly to the left of the runway, its main rotor blades struck the left wingtip of the T-6G.

The impact caused the helicopter to spin and strike the ground. The T-6G pilot remained in the traffic pattern and subsequently landed safely on the takeoff runway. Video footage of the incident showed the helicopter positioned to the extreme left of the airplane's nose, forward of the left wing, just as the helicopter pilot reported being "on the go again." At that moment, the helicopter appeared to be in a nose-low attitude flying just above the taxiway to the left of the aircraft, while the T-6G was in a level flight attitude slightly left of the runway centerline.

Findings

The investigation concluded that the accident resulted from both pilots failing to see and avoid the other aircraft. No specific mechanical failures were cited as contributing factors in the provided narrative.

Probable cause

Both pilots failed to see and avoid the other aircraft.

Contributing factors

PilotPilot of other aircraftInstructor/check pilot