# NTSB CEN11LA318: Robinson Helicopter R22 Beta, N927SH, Yancey, TX, May 3, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 3, 2011, 11:15 local (16:15 UTC) - Place: Yancey, TX - Coordinates: 29.181943, -99.206108 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.1819&lon=-99.2061&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Fuel related](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/190) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 17, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 79031 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN11LA318 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/79031/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=79031 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN11LA318 ## Probable cause The loss of engine power due to the unintentional closure of the fuel shutoff valve. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Fuel system: fuel selector/shutoff valve](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022823): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Unintentional use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022823/cases.md?model=7640110), [All aircraft, 176 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022823/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: Fuel related](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/190) (defining event); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/190/sequence.md?model=7640110), [All aircraft, 361 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/190/sequence.md) - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA, 18 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=7640110), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Loss of lift](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/500); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/500/sequence.md?model=7640110), [All aircraft, 252 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/500/sequence.md) - [Uncontrolled descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA, 85 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7640110), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) - [Post-impact: Roll over](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/097); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA, 21 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/097/sequence.md?model=7640110), [All aircraft, 261 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/097/sequence.md) ## Analysis While maneuvering at a low altitude, the pilot heard the engine noise change and the low rpm warning horn sound. The helicopter settled to the ground and rolled onto its right side. While exiting the helicopter the pilot noted that the fuel shutoff valve had been moved 3/4 of the way towards the closed position. The pilot concluded that either the passenger's clothing or seat belt had inadvertently closed the fuel valve when the passenger had moved near the valve which resulted in the loss of engine power. Due to the low altitude, the pilot was unable to perform an autorotation in time. A postaccident examination of the helicopter did not reveal any preimpact anomalies. The helicopter was equipped with an older style fuel shutoff valve that had a handle that could be easily moved; however, a newer spring-loaded fuel shutoff valve was available that would have prevented inadvertent valve actuation. ## Factual narrative On May 3, 2011, 1115 central daylight time, a Robinson Helicopter R22 Beta, N927SH, collided with terrain following low rotor rpm near Yancey, Texas. Substantial damage was sustained to the fuselage and tail boom sections. The commercial pilot and passenger were not injured. The helicopter was registered to Prentice Aviation Inc, Bokchito, Oklahoma, and operated by a private individual under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as an aerial observation flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight, which operated without a flight plan. The flight originated from a private area approximately 1045. According to a statement provided by the pilot, he was flying an animal control flight over private property. While searching for feral pigs, the pilot was flying 4 to 5 feet above ground level when his passenger notified the pilot of a pig's location. While maneuvering, the pilot heard the engine noise change and the low rpm warning horn sound as the engine began to shut down. The helicopter settled to the ground and rolled onto its right side. While egressing the helicopter, the pilot noticed fuel leaking from the top of the helicopter's fuel tank. While securing the fuel shutoff valve, the pilot noticed that the valve handle was 3/4 the way towards the closed position. The pilot concluded that either the passenger's clothing or seat belt had inadvertently closed the fuel valve which resulted in the loss of engine power when the passenger had moved near the valve. There were no other reported malfunctions or failures with the helicopter. An examination of the helicopter conducted by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector did not reveal any preimpact anomalies. The helicopter was equipped with an older style fuel shutoff valve that consisted of a handle (part number A670-2). A newer fuel shutoff valve was available to be installed (part number A670-1). The newer fuel shutoff valve was remodeled to be spring-loaded towards the open position to prevent inadvertent valve actuation. ## 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 - Airframe hours: 2931 - Engines: LYCOMING O-360 SERIES 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial observation, Part 91 - Operator: Prentice Aviation Inc - Registered owner: Prentice Aviation Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 18, 2011, 88 hours before - Departed: Yancey, TX - Destination: Yancey, TX ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 37; injuries: none; commercial; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review August 10, 2010; seat: right; flight hours: 8,667 total, 8,265 in this make and model, 8,667 as pilot in command, 184 in the last 90 days, 47 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 50° at 13 knots, gusting 20 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 30 °F - Altimeter: 30.43 inHg - Observed at: KHDO, 11 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 20110503009929A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110503009929A), May 3, 2011: Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA, Yancey, TX, Substantial damage. According to the pilot he was manuvering the helicopter approximately 4 - 5 feet above a wheat field. The helicopter experienced a loss of engine power, and… ## 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 CEN10CA268](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN10CA268), May 24, 2010: Robinson Helicopter R22 Beta (N927SH), Pearsall, TX, minor damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to see and avoid the power lines. ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 3, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=79031. 635 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 592 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40351678&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1: Attachment 1 pilot statement (item 2, .PDF, 43 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40350644&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1%3A%20Attachment%201%20pilot%20statement-Master.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.