Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA accident near Electra, TX
On November 20, 2017, a Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA (helicopter) was involved in an accident near Electra, TX. 1 person died. Damage to the aircraft: substantial.
- Date
- November 20, 2017
- Place
- Electra, TX
- Aircraft
- Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA · Helicopter
- Injuries
- 1 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Substantial
- Position
- 34.002°N, 98.901°W
- NTSB ID
- 20171120X90940
Official records · CEN18FA035
- Public docket: reports, statements and exhibits from the investigation
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHTOn November 20, 2017, about 1505 central standard time, a Robinson Helicopter R22 Beta, N4179M, impacted power lines and terrain near Electra, Texas. The commercial pilot was fatally injured, and the helicopter was destroyed by post crash fire. The helicopter was registered to the pilot and operated by Carmichael Helicopter Service LLC under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 other work use flight. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed in the area about the time of the accident, and no flight plan was filed for the local flight, which originated at an unknown time. A witness in the area saw the helicopter herding cattle and heard a horn sounding during the low-level operation. He watched the helicopter maneuver back and forth over powerlines until it descended in a nose-low attitude. The helicopter impacted terrain and a ground fire ensued. PERSONNEL INFORMATIONThe 25-year-old pilot held a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) commercial pilot certificate with a rotorcraft helicopter rating. He held an FAA second-class medical certificate issued on December 15, 2016, with no limitations. On the application for that medical certificate, he reported accumulating 2,100 hours of total flight time and 400 hours in the previous 6 months. AIRCRAFT INFORMATIONN4179M, serial number 4413, was a Robinson Helicopter R22 Beta, two-place, single main rotor, single-engine helicopter, with a spring and yield skid-type landing gear. A 145-horsepower Lycoming O-360-J2A engine, serial number L-40955-36E, powered the helicopter. The primary
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from powerlines while maneuvering at low altitude.
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Browse: Texas · Robinson aircraft
Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
