20211001016582A

On October 01, 2021 at approximately 0740 mountain standard time (MST), a

Piper PA-28-181 airplane (N2868H) and a Robinson R22 helicopter (N412TL)

Collided in flight approximately .5 mile southwest of the approach end of

Runway (rwy) 04R at chd. VFR conditions prevailed at the time of the

Accident. Both aircraft were operating in their respective VFR traffic

Pattern. Both aircraft were ADS-B equipped and transmitting ADS-B out.

N2868H had begun conducting pattern work on rwy 04L at 0643 MST and had

Conducted 2 touch and gos on rwy 04L before being directed to switch to

The rwy 04R pattern where it conducted additional 6 touch and gos prior

To the accident. Concurrently, N412TL had begun conducting pattern work

At 0731 MST on taxiway (txy) c, known as "charlie pattern" which runs

Parallel to and approximately 400 ft se of rwy 04R, centerline to

Centerline.

According to FAA falcon replay and serco inc provided tower

Communications, the following sequence of events took place from

Approximately 0730 - 0745 MST;

0732 MST - N2868H had departed rwy 04R and was instructed by the local

Controller-south (lc-s) controller to extend their upwind on their next

Pass for traffic in the helicopter VFR traffic pattern.

0733 MST - approaching mid-downwind, N2868H was instructed to follow

Traffic (seminole) on a 1 mile final to rwy 04R and was then cleared for

Touch and go, rwy 04R, #2. Approaching mid-downwind, N412TL was cleared

For the option, txy c.

[At this time N2868H and N412TL were approximately abeam one another

While flying in their respective VFR patterns.]

0736 MST - N7193U (helicopter) requested departure from the helipad for a

Southbound departure and was advised of company traffic (N412TL) on the

Go, and that there were two helicopters in the charlie pattern, and

Cleared him for takeoff.

0737 MST - while still upwind just before turning crosswind, N412TLWAS

Advised of company traffic southbound departing the airspace and additional company traffic departing the helipad southbound, then cleared

Him for the option, txy c.

0738 MST - N2868H, who was extending their upwind (as instructed during

Their previous approach) was approved to make their crosswind turn.

While turning from crosswind to downwind, N2868H was advised of

Helicopter traffic that would be ahead and to their right, was departing

Southbound low-level, and was then cleared for touch and go, rwy 04R, #2

Following the seminole on right base. The pilot acknowledged the

Clearance for touch and go.

[By about mid-field, N2868H flying slightly faster than N412TL, had

Reached a position placing them almost abeam one another.]

0740 MST - while slightly behind and to the left of N412TL, N2868H began

A base

Turn well inside the normal fixed wing pattern base leg, and prior to

N412TL beginning their base leg turn. Seconds later N412TL initiated

Their base leg turn in the normal location within the VFR helicopter

Pattern.

As the helicopter rolled out on course for txy c, N2868H was located

Slightly right and behind the helicopter as they were descending rapidly

In their turn to final and targets appeared to merge as N2868H was about

To roll out on final.

0741 MST - the pilot of N2868H declared an emergency and reported they

Had "hit a bird or something large".