Accident Overview
On October 21, 2025, about 1108 central daylight time, a Robinson Helicopter Company R22 Beta II helicopter, registration N74583, was involved in an accident near Springfield, Missouri. The flight instructor and the pilot receiving instruction both sustained serious injuries. The helicopter operated under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as an instructional flight and sustained substantial damage.
Flight Details
The flight instructor had originally scheduled a cross-country training flight with the pilot receiving instruction, who was working toward a commercial pilot certificate. After obtaining a weather briefing that indicated high winds later in the day, they canceled the cross-country flight and instead planned to perform training maneuvers at Downtown Airport (3DW) in Springfield. They decided to adhere to the limitations listed in the RHC R22 Pilot's Operating Handbook and FAA-Approved Rotorcraft Flight Manual (per FAA Airworthiness Directive 95-26-04): flight is prohibited when surface winds exceed 25 knots (including gusts), when wind gust spreads exceed 15 knots, and in moderate, severe, or extreme turbulence.
Following the first training session, they refueled the helicopter and checked wind conditions. During the second session, they practiced autorotations from 1,000 feet above ground level to runway 29, including 30° and 60° entries. After successfully performing four such autorotations, they proceeded with four 90° entry autorotations.
During the last autorotation, after the entry and with engine power at idle, the flight instructor told the pilot to "steer" multiple times and gave the cyclic a "nudge." The helicopter was oriented to about a 240° heading and drifted past the runway centerline to the south. The helicopter was drifting left, and the flight instructor reported it was unable to turn right. The helicopter continued south beyond airport property toward a public sports complex. The flight instructor initiated a flare, and the helicopter impacted a grass field upright near trees in the complex, coming to rest on its left side.
Weather Information
The closest meteorological reporting station to 3DW is Springfield-Branson National Airport (SGF), about 7.9 miles northwest. Automated surface observing system data showed: at 1052, wind from 310° at 11 knots gusting to 21 knots; at 1152, wind from 290° at 14 knots gusting to 26 knots. A review of meteorological data found some speed shear in the lowest 2,000 feet above ground level of about 15 knots above average surface magnitudes near 3DW around the accident time. No directional shear was found.
Aircraft and Damage
The helicopter has a maximum gross weight of 1,370 pounds. At the time of the accident, the operator reported the helicopter weighed about 1,341 pounds. The flight controls are actuated through push-pull tubes and bell cranks; the helicopter is not equipped with a hydraulic system. It is powered by a Lycoming Engines O-360-J2A reciprocating engine. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the fuselage, main rotor system, tail cone, empennage, and tail rotor system. The wreckage was recovered and transported to a secure location for examination.
Robinson Helicopter Company published Safety Notice SN-32 High Winds or Turbulence in July 2025, which states that flying in high winds or turbulence should be avoided, and that improper control inputs in response to turbulence or high winds can lead to loss of control or a dangerous low-g condition. It also notes that pilots must be aware of conditions associated with turbulence, including convective activity, strong surface winds over varying terrain, mountain waves, and strong inversions.