Accident Details
On November 14, 2015, at about 0950 central standard time, a Robinson R22 Beta helicopter, registered as N7058Z, was substantially damaged after a hard landing near Sugarland, Texas. The private pilot, the sole occupant, sustained minor injuries. The helicopter was owned by Jerry Trimble Helicopters and operated by a private individual under 14 CFR Part 91 for personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed.
Pilot's Account
According to the pilot, approximately 50 minutes into the flight, the main rotor rpm oversped, reaching the top of the gauge. Despite reducing throttle, the pilot could not bring the rotor rpm within limits and initiated an autorotation. The pilot maneuvered toward an open field and landed hard. After initial impact, the helicopter rolled onto its left side. The tail boom was severed from the fuselage during the impact and came to rest about 150 feet away.
Inspection Findings
The pilot reported that the rotor system had oversped about two weeks prior to the accident. A 50-hour inspection conducted after that event did not reveal a reason for the overspeed. The pilot suspected a mechanical malfunction leading to the rotor overspeed. A subsequent visual examination by Federal Aviation Administration inspectors did not reveal any anomalies.