Accident Details
On April 6, 2019, at 2208 eastern daylight time, a Robinson R22 Beta, registration N4047H, was destroyed in an accident near Clover, Virginia. The pilot sustained serious injuries. The helicopter was operating as a personal flight under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91.
Witness Account
A witness reported that the helicopter arrived at 07VA at 1830. The pilot approached from the south and landed facing north. Around 2200, the witness drove the pilot back to the helicopter, where they discussed the departure plan. The pilot intended to liftoff, hover, turn 180° to the left, and depart southbound while climbing steeply above the treetops. The pilot brought the helicopter to a hover, rotated about 150°, and began a steep departure climb. As the helicopter climbed, it crossed over the runway, and the main rotor blades impacted a tree approximately 50 ft above the ground. The helicopter then turned sharply and fell nose-down to the ground. The witness stated that before takeoff, the helicopter sounded and appeared to perform normally, with all navigation and landing lights functioning.
Pilot Account
In a postaccident interview, the pilot recalled that a friend asked if he should leave before sunset. The pilot assured the friend he would be fine. When the pilot was ready to depart, the friend offered to shine lights from the south end of the runway as a guide, but the pilot declined. The pilot stated he did not recall the accident events after departure but agreed with his friend's recollection of events.
Postaccident Examination
An examination of the helicopter by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector and a representative from Robinson Helicopters revealed that the helicopter came to rest at the base of a tree. A postcrash fire destroyed the cockpit and instrument panel. Examination of the main rotor blades showed both blades remained attached to the main rotor hub and were buckled. The main rotor transmission exhibited rotational scoring. The tail boom sustained impact and fire damage. The tail rotor blades were buckled and remained attached to the tail rotor gearbox. Examination of the engine and airframe did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.