Robinson Helicopter Company R44 II accident near Blackwell, TX
On June 26, 2022, a Robinson Helicopter Company R44 II (helicopter) was involved in an accident near Blackwell, TX. 1 person died. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.
- Date
- June 26, 2022
- Place
- Blackwell, TX
- Aircraft
- Robinson Helicopter Company R44 II · Helicopter
- Injuries
- 1 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Position
- 32.151°N, 100.338°W
- NTSB ID
- 20220626105354
Official records · CEN22FA288
- Public docket: reports, statements and exhibits from the investigation
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHTOn June 26, 2022, about 0830 central daylight time, a Robinson R44 helicopter, N4124D, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Blackwell, Texas. The pilot sustained fatal injuries. The helicopter was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137 aerial application flight. The purpose of the aerial application flight was to apply selective herbicide targeting a large grove of mesquite trees. After loading the herbicides near the target spray area, the pilot took off and completed 2 or 3 passes over the mesquite grove. After about 3 to 4 minutes, the person who loaded the helicopter with chemicals heard a metallic-type impact sound coming from the direction of where the helicopter was spraying. He subsequently heard an impact sound and an abrupt end to the engine and rotor blade noise coming from that direction. He responded to the accident site as quickly as possible. There were no direct witnesses to the accident. There were no radio or distress calls heard from the pilot before the accident. AIRCRAFT INFORMATIONReview of maintenance logbooks for the airframe and engine did not reveal any uncorrected defects and the annual inspections were up to date. AIRPORT INFORMATIONReview of maintenance logbooks for the airframe and engine did not reveal any uncorrected defects and the annual inspections were up to date. WRECKAGE AND IMPACT INFORMATIONA series of power poles running southwest to northeast carried two wires through the mesquite grove canopy. The poles measured about 23 ft tall with one wire on top and the second wire about 3
Probable cause
The pilot’s failure to maintain proper altitude and clearance during low-level aerial application, resulting in an in-flight collision with power lines.
More accidents in TX
- Kubicek BB85, Jul 30, 2016
- Robertson C-414, Jul 29, 1982
- Textron Aviation B-300, Jun 30, 2019
- Beech B100, Nov 26, 1983
- Consolidated-Vultee PBY-6A, Oct 13, 1984
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.
