# NTSB CEN10CA268: Robinson Helicopter R22 Beta, N927SH, Pearsall, TX, May 24, 2010 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 24, 2010, 07:45 local (12:45 UTC) - Place: Pearsall, TX - Coordinates: 28.818889, -98.992225 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.8189&lon=-98.9922&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious, 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 22, 2010 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 76111 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN10CA268 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/76111/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=76111 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN10CA268 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to see and avoid the power lines. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Attention/monitoring: task monitoring/vigilance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021520): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021520/cases.md?model=7640110), [All aircraft, 330 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021520/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: wire](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Awareness of condition; cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md?model=7640110), [All aircraft, 588 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: wire](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on equipment; cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md?model=7640110), [All aircraft, 588 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220) (defining event); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA, 12 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md?model=7640110), [All aircraft, 780 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot said he and a passenger were checking fields and areas around the fields for any problems or damage. While flying east the pilot put the helicopter into a slip and descent to the north (left) to look at something closer on the left side of the helicopter. During the descent the helicopter hit unseen power lines on its left side, breaking the power lines and seriously injuring the passenger in the left seat. The pilot landed nearby and called for medical assistance for the passenger. The passenger later stated they had been hunting hogs at the time of the accident and the hog they were after had gone under the helicopter from the right to the left and "the pilot put the helicopter into a left slip" and that was the last thing he could remember about the flight. ## Factual narrative While flying east, the pilot put the helicopter into a slip and descent to the north (left) to look at something closer on the left side of the helicopter. During the descent the helicopter hit unseen power lines on its left side, breaking the power lines and seriously injuring the passenger in the left seat. The pilot landed nearby and called for medical assistance for the passenger. The passenger later stated they had been hunting hogs at the time of the accident and the hog they were after had gone under the helicopter from the right to the left and "the pilot put the helicopter into a left slip" and that was the last thing he could remember about the flight. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N927SH](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N927SH-2013-03-21), registration cancelled 2013-03-21, S/N 3880, built 2005 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: ROBINSON HELICOPTER R22 BETA - Registry model: [Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA](https://openairdocs.org/model/robinson-helicopter-r22-beta) (registry code 7640110) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-360-series) (registry code 41575, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 3880 - Engines: LYCOMING O-360 SERIES 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Minor damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: T30, Pearsall, TX - Destination: T30, Pearsall, TX - Flight plan: Unknown - Airport: T30, Mc Kinley Field ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 39; commercial; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review May 16, 2009; seat: right; flight hours: 2,000 total, 1,975 in this make and model, 1,900 as pilot in command, 70 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 130° at 9 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 1,600 ft broken - Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 73 °F - Altimeter: 29.80 inHg - Observed at: COT, 34 nm away ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20100524034369A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20100524034369A), May 24, 2010: Robinson He R22 BETA, Pearsall, TX, Minor damage. While conducting low altitude agricultural aerial survey, aircraft contacted power lines. Passenger was transported to hospital for burn injury. ## Other investigations on N927SH (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 CEN11LA318](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN11LA318), May 3, 2011: Robinson Helicopter R22 Beta (N927SH), Yancey, TX, substantial damage. Probable cause: The loss of engine power due to the unintentional closure of the fuel shutoff valve. ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 25, 2010, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=76111. 613 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 573 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40331357&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Passenger Statement (item 2, .PDF, 40 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40331364&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Passenger%20Statement-Redacted.PDF 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.