# NTSB CEN10CA466: Robinson Helicopter R22, N792SH, Pettus, TX, August 8, 2010 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 8, 2010, 07:30 local (12:30 UTC) - Place: Pettus, TX - Coordinates: 28.628334, -97.801666 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.6283&lon=-97.8017&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Prior to flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/100) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Prior to flight: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 20, 2010 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - NTSB case key (mKey): 76905 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN10CA466 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/76905/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=76905 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN10CA466 ## Probable cause The pilot's decision to exit the helicopter with the engine running. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R22, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=7640102), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Prior to flight: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900) (defining event); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R22, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md?model=7640102), [All aircraft, 1,556 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot herded cattle into a cattle trap and landed to close and adjust some gates, with the intent to take off again. The pilot left the engine running and exited the helicopter. While the pilot was outside the helicopter several cattle were startled. One of the startled cattle jumped a fence and came into contact with the main rotor, which caused the helicopter to bounce and shake violently. A number of other cattle broke free from the pen and at least one contacted the helicopter, causing it to become airborne for a short period of time before impacting the ground in a nose-low attitude. The tail boom and main rotor mast were both partially separated from the fuselage. ## Factual narrative The pilot herded cattle into a cattle trap and landed to close and adjust some gates, with the intent to take off again. The pilot left the engine running and exited the helicopter. While the pilot was outside the helicopter several cattle "spooked", one of which jumped a fence and came in contact with the main rotor, causing the helicopter to bounce and shake violently. A number of other cattle broke free from the pen and at least one contacted the helicopter, causing it to become airborne for a short period of time before impacting the ground in a nose low attitude. The tail boom and main rotor mast were both partially separated from the fuselage. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N792SH](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N792SH-2013-02-25), registration cancelled 2013-02-25, S/N 3723, built 2004 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: ROBINSON HELICOPTER COMPANY R22 - Registry model: [Robinson Helicopter R22](https://openairdocs.org/model/robinson-helicopter-r22) (registry code 7640102) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-360-series) (registry code 41575, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 3723 - Airframe hours: 4180 - Engines: LYCOMING O-360 SERIES 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial observation, Part 91 - Operator: Streakin' F Helicoptera - Registered owner: Coastal Bend Helicopter Services LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: NA, Pettus, TX - Destination: NA, Pettus, TX - Airport: NA, Private Trailer ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 33; commercial; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; flight hours: 1,316 total, 1,285 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F ## 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 20100808047869A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20100808047869A), Aug 8, 2010: Robinson He R22, Karnes County, TX, Minor damage. While tending cattle, set aircraft down on ground, aircraft blades were still rotating, spooked cattle, one cow tried to jump fence and was struck by rotor… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 2, 2010, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=76905. 595 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 555 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40335463&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Pilot Statement (item 2, .PDF, 40 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40335469&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%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.