# Accident 20230618007989A: Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA, Louise, TX, June 18, 2023

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: June 18, 2023, 12:00 local time
- Place: Louise, TX
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Other, Specify
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 29.1400° N, 96.4300° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.1400&lon=-96.4300&mi=10
- Aircraft: N932SH, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N932SH) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA (registry code 7640110, https://openairdocs.org/model/robinson-helicopter-r22-beta) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming O-360 series (registry code 41575, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-360-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ROBINSON HELICOPTER R22 BETA
- Reported engine: LYCOMING O-360 SERIES
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Commercial pilot, private pilot, student
- Pilot flight hours: 506 total, 254 in this make and model, 17 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB CEN23LA245](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23LA245) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20230618007989A

## Narrative

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

PILOT STATED THAT HE WAS PERFORMING LOW LEVEL FLIGHT CONDUCTED FOR A RICE FARMER TO ASSIST THE NATURAL POULANTION OF THE RICE.

HE HAD FLOWN FOR APPROX 2.5 HOURS CRISS CROSSEING THE RICE FIELD AS INSTRUCTED AT APPROX 5 TO 6 FEET ABOVE THE RICE. DURING A TURN AT ONE EDGE OF THE RICE FIELD HE BELIEVES HE ENCOUNTERED A WIND GUST THAT CAUSED HIM TO LOOSE CONTROL. HE THEN FOUND HIMSELF IN THE RICE FIELD.

HELICOPTER WAS UPRIGHT IN THE RICE FIELD WITH BLADES BENT AND BROKEN. THE TAIL WAS PARTIALY SEPARATED FROM THE FUSALAGE AND SEVERELY BENT.

PILOT STATED THAT EVERYTHING WAS WORKING CORRECTLY AND THAT HE JUST SOMEHOW MESSED UP. THIS WAS PILOTS FIRST DAY ON THE JOB AND FIRST TIME FLYING THIS TYPE OF WORK AT LOW LEVEL.

FUEL PRESENT. OIL PRESENT. CONTROLS WERE INTACT AND SECURE EXCEPT WHERE THEY WERE BROKEN.

## 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 CEN23LA245](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23LA245), Jun 18, 2023: Robinson Helicopter R22 Beta (N932SH), Louise, TX, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control in gusting wind conditions.

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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