On November 14, 2009, a ROBINSON HELICOPTER R22 BETA operated by Palm Beach Helicopters was involved in an aviation accident near Pahokee, FL. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot’s failure to maintain control of the helicopter. This summary draws on records from NTSB; 15 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.
A helicopter struck a concrete pole and rolled onto its side after encountering a gust of wind while hovering near a fuel station, causing substantial damage.
Accident Details
According to the pilot, the helicopter had just landed and hover taxied to a fuel station. The pilot established a hover approximately 20 feet southwest of the fuel station and noted that the windsock indicated a strong quartering headwind. While hovering, the helicopter encountered a gust of wind. The helicopter began to yaw to the right and the nose lowered. The pilot was unable to regain control, and the main rotor blades struck a concrete pole. The helicopter then rolled onto its right side.
Damage
The accident resulted in substantial damage to the main rotor blades, fuselage, and tail. The winds recorded at the closest reporting station around the time of the accident were from 020 degrees at 11 knots, with gusts to 15 knots.
Contributing factors
Performance/control parameters — Not attained/maintainedPilot
Related events
Same aircraft family
13 Sep 2026 — ROBINSON HELICOPTER COMPANY R44 II (Chop Air LLC)
What happened in the 14 Nov 2009 ROBINSON HELICOPTER R22 BETA accident near Pahokee, FL?
A helicopter struck a concrete pole and rolled onto its side after encountering a gust of wind while hovering near a fuel station, causing substantial damage.
Were there any fatalities in the 14 Nov 2009 ROBINSON HELICOPTER R22 BETA accident?
No fatalities were recorded in this accident.
What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?
The accident on 14 Nov 2009 involved a ROBINSON HELICOPTER R22 BETA, operated by Palm Beach Helicopters, at Pahokee, FL.
What was the probable cause of the accident?
The pilot’s failure to maintain control of the helicopter.
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