# Accident 20090324003159A: Robsin R22, Chowchilla, CA, March 24, 2009

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: March 24, 2009, 06:30 local time
- Place: Chowchilla, CA
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Maneuver
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 37.1258° N, 120.2036° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.1258&lon=-120.2036&mi=10
- Aircraft: N139RJ, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N139RJ-2018-02-12) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA (registry code 7640110, https://openairdocs.org/model/robinson-helicopter-r22-beta) (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
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot flight hours: 1,250 total, 1,200 in this make and model, 200 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB WPR09CA163](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR09CA163) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20090324003159A

## Narrative

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

(-23) WHILE CONDUCTING FROST CONTROL OPERATION, THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK A HIGH TENSION POWER LINE WITH ITS MAIN ROTOR.  THE PILOT STATED THAT HE CONDUCTED A PRIOR INSPECTION OF THE FIELD REVEALING THERE WERE 2 SETS OF WIRES.  THE HELICOPTER WAS OPERATING AT DAWN AT APPROX 40 FT AGL.  THE PILOT STATED THAT HE CLEARED THE FIRST SET OF WIRES AND CONTINUED ON HIS WEST BOUND HEADING.  THE PILOT REALIZED THAT HE COULD NOT SEE THE 2ND SET OF WIRES AND STARTED TO TURN TOWARD A NORTH BOUND HEADING.  AT THIS TIME THE HELICOPTER'S MAIN ROTOR BLADE CUT THE LOWER WIRE ON THE HIGH TENSION POWER LINE THIS ACTION WAS FOLLOWED BY STRUCTURAL FAILURE OF THE MAIN ROTOR BLADE CAUSING THE HELICOPTER TO DROP 40 FT INTO A GRAPE VINE AREA.

## 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 WPR09CA163](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR09CA163), Mar 24, 2009: Robinson Helicopter R22 Beta (N139RJ), Chowchilla, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the power lines.

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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