# Accident 20030405009999A: Robsin R22, Freer, TX, April 5, 2003

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: April 5, 2003, 10:30 local time
- Place: Freer, TX
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Low Level Operations
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 27.8836° N, 98.6003° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.8836&lon=-98.6003&mi=10
- Aircraft: N9071K, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9071K-2014-11-26) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Robinson Helicopter R22 (registry code 7640102, https://openairdocs.org/model/robinson-helicopter-r22) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming 0-320 series (registry code 41508, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ROBSIN R22
- Reported engine: LYC O320*
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Pilot flight hours: 13,000 total, 325 in this make and model, 21 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB FTW03LA124](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW03LA124) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030405009999A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

(-23) OPERATOR WAS HERDING CATTLE AT LOW ALTITUDE. WHILE RELYING ON THE FUEL GAUGE AND LOW QUANTITY LIGHT, THE HELICOPTER RAN OUT OF FUEL. AUTOROTATION WAS PERFORMED WITH A TAIL WIND DUE TO LOW ALTITUDE. AS HELICOPTER SKIDDED FORWARD, THE SKID BECAME HUNG UP ON SOME UNEVEN TERRAIN. THIS CAUSED THE TIAL BOOM TO PITCH UPWARD INTO THE MAIN ROTOR.^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB FTW03LA124](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW03LA124), Apr 5, 2003: Robinson R22 (N9071K), Freer, TX, substantial damage. Probable cause: The loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion as result of the pilot's failure to refuel en route. A contributing factor was the lack of suitable terrain available for the forced landing.

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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