Robinson R22 Beta LV-KBQ Accident in Córdoba, Argentina

Incident Overview and Location On 27 February 2022, a Robinson R22 Beta helicopter with registration LV-KBQ was involved in an accident in a rural area approximately 20 kilometers northeast of Canals, in the province of Córdoba, Argentina. The incident occurred at 22:30 UTC during a local pleasure flight. The aircraft sustained significant damage to its airframe and both the main and tail rotors. ## Flight Sequence and Operational Factors The helicopter departed from a declared landing site (LAD 2905) in Canals at 22:15 UTC. Approximately 15 minutes into the flight, while on approach for a practice landing in a field, the pilot received high RPM alarms. The pilot manually closed the throttle but observed no change in rotor speed. As the aircraft descended, a clutch indicator light illuminated, prompting the pilot to initiate an autorotation. During the maneuver, low RPM alarms sounded. Upon contact with the ground, the helicopter overturned to the left. ## Investigation and Aircraft Condition The incident was reported to the Argentine Transport Safety Board (JST) 24 hours after the event. The aircraft was removed from the scene without authorization, and the main rotor blades were cut for transport. The tail rotor assembly was not located by the owner, and investigators were unable to access the private field where the accident occurred. Following the accident, the pilot observed that the transmission belts were displaced from their pulleys, a condition confirmed by subsequent images of the aircraft. ## Personnel and Aircraft History The pilot held a private helicopter pilot license and had a total of 192.9 flight hours, with 32.5 hours on the Robinson R22 type. The pilot obtained type rating for the R22 on 23 December 2021. The helicopter had been acquired in November 2021. The accident occurred during daylight hours in good weather conditions. No injuries were reported to the pilot or any other persons.