Robinson R22 Helicopter Becomes Unintentional UAV | Aero-News Network
Aero-News Network
RSS icon RSS feed
podcast icon MP3 podcast
Subscribe Aero-News e-mail Newsletter Subscribe

Airborne Unlimited -- Most Recent Daily Episodes

Episode Date

Airborne-Monday

Airborne-Tuesday

Airborne-Wednesday Airborne-Thursday

Airborne-Friday

Airborne On YouTube

Airborne-Unlimited-07.07.25

Airborne-NextGen-07.08.25

AirborneUnlimited-07.09.25

Airborne-FlightTraining-07.10.25

AirborneUnlimited-07.11.25

Sat, Dec 05, 2009

Robinson R22 Helicopter Becomes Unintentional UAV

Helo Lands In The Atlantic Ocean After Pilot Falls Off Skid

The pilot of a 2002 Robinson R22 was, oddly, not aboard his aircraft when it went down in about four feet of water off the coast of Indian Key, FL, on Saturday Nov 28.

The Florida Keys newspaper The Keynoter quoted FAA spokesperson Kathleen Bergen stating the aircraft "apparently took off without its pilot and landed in the ocean."  It didn't escape her notice that this "...certainly seems to be a rare occurrence."

Witnesses report the helo initially landed in a field at Indian Key State Park around 2:30 p.m. Saturday where the pilot stepped out of the cockpit to check the rear rotor. The pilot was still outside, standing on one of the skids, when the helicopter lifted back into the air and headed out to sea.

Private boaters were nice enough to bring the pilot back to shore for medical attention.  He fell from the helo prior to impact and is reported to have a broken arm and a bruised pride.  A salvage boat recovered the wreckage before the end of the day.

The identity of the pilot has not been confirmed. The aircraft is registered to G & S Helicopters, which is owned by Don and Margaret Gerloff of Islamorada.

FMI: www.ntsb.gov

Advertisement

More News

Airborne 07.11.25: New FAA Boss, New NASA Boss (Kinda), WB57s Over TX

Also: ANOTHER Illegal Drone, KidVenture Educational Activities, Record Launches, TSA v Shoes The Senate confirmed Bryan Bedford to become the next Administrator of the FAA, in a ne>[...]

Airborne-Flight Training 07.10.25: ATC School, Air Race Classic, Samson School

Also: Sully v Bedford, Embraer Scholarships, NORAD Intercepts 11, GAMA Thankful Middle Georgia State University will be joining the Federal Aviation Administration’s fight ag>[...]

Airborne Affordable Flyers 07.03.25: Sonex HW, BlackShape Gabriel, PRA Fly-In 25

Also: DarkAero Update, Electric Aircraft Symposium, Updated Instructor Guide, OSH Homebuilts Celebrate The long-awaited Sonex High Wing prototype has flown... the Sonex gang tells >[...]

Airborne-Flight Training 07.10.25: ATC School, Air Race Classic, Samson School

Also: Sully v Bedford, Embraer Scholarships, NORAD Intercepts 11, GAMA Thankful Middle Georgia State University will be joining the Federal Aviation Administration’s fight ag>[...]

Rick Kenin New Board Chair of VAI

30-Year USCG Veteran Aviator Focusing On Member Benefits The Vertical Aviation International Board of Directors announced its new leadership officers in April, and all began their >[...]

blog comments powered by Disqus



Advertisement

Advertisement

Podcasts

Advertisement

© 2007 - 2025 Web Development & Design by Pauli Systems, LC