# NTSB CEN15CA025: Robinson Helicopter R44, N7192K, Harper, TX, October 24, 2014

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: October 24, 2014, 11:30 local (16:30 UTC)
- Place: Harper, TX
- Coordinates: 30.306667, -99.247497 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.3067&lon=-99.2475&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: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 27, 2015
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Central Region
- NTSB case key (mKey): 90297
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN15CA025
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/90297/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=90297
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN15CA025

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from trees while maneuvering.

## 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; cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44, 15 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=7640120), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md)
- [Performance/control parameters: altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44, 22 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=7640120), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/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: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44, 56 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7640120), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)
- [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220) (defining event); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44, 26 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md?model=7640120), [All aircraft, 780 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot and a passenger, acting as a shooter, were conducting deer capture operations at a low altitude. The pilot reported they heard a noise and felt a shudder in the helicopter. The helicopter started spinning to the right and impacted trees and the ground. The pilot stated there was no malfunction with the helicopter and that the tail rotor hit a tree while maneuvering.

## Factual narrative

The pilot and a passenger, acting as a shooter, were conducting deer capture operations at a low altitude. The pilot reported they heard a noise and felt a shudder in the helicopter. The helicopter started spinning to the right and impacted trees and the ground. The pilot stated there was no malfunction with the helicopter and that the tail rotor hit a tree while maneuvering.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7192K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7192K-2019-02-01), registration cancelled 2019-02-01, S/N 0874, built 2000 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ROBINSON HELICOPTER R44 (UNDESIGNAT)
- Registry model: [Robinson Helicopter R44](https://openairdocs.org/model/robinson-helicopter-r44) (registry code 7640120) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 0874
- Year built: 2000
- Airframe hours: 2103
- Engines: LYCOMING 0-540 SERIES 250 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Philip Johnston, doing business as Exotic Game Management
- Registered owner: Buell Travis W
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: Harper, TX
- Destination: Harper, TX

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; injuries: none; commercial; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; seat: right; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 6,000 total, 1,500 in this make and model, 5,900 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles

## 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 20141024020519A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20141024020519A), Oct 24, 2014: Robinson Helicopter R44, Harper, TX, Substantial damage. Description of accident event - pilot and one passenger (gunner) were utilizing the helicopter to capture game by the use of a net-gun. While descending into…

## Docket (1 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 6, 2015, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=90297. 3.2 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40428815&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-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.

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