# NTSB CEN15CA153: Robinson Helicopter R22 Beta, N7181S, Asherton, TX, February 15, 2015

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: February 15, 2015, 10:30 local (16:30 UTC)
- Place: Asherton, TX
- Coordinates: 28.559444, -99.410003 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.5594&lon=-99.4100&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: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report May 13, 2015
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Central Region
- NTSB case key (mKey): 90782
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN15CA153
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/90782/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=90782
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN15CA153

## Probable cause

The pilot did not maintain adequate clearance from the trees.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Action: incorrect action selection](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041010): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041010/cases.md?model=7640110), [All aircraft, 397 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041010/cases.md)
- [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Not specified; cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=7640110), [All aircraft, 933 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/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 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)
- [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

According to the pilot, he was herding cattle with the helicopter. He descended to an altitude of about 10 feet to get the cattle to turn and enter a pen. After the cattle entered the pen, he maneuvered away and gained altitude to clear some nearby trees. The pilot thought the helicopter was clear of the trees; however, the tailrotor impacted a tree. The helicopter started to spin, so he reduced the throttle to stop the spin. The helicopter impacted terrain, resulting in substantial damage the main rotor blades, fuselage, and tailboom.

## Factual narrative

According to the pilot, he was herding cattle with the helicopter. He descended to an altitude of about 10 feet to get the cattle to turn and enter a pen. After the cattle entered the pen, he maneuvered away and gained altitude to clear some nearby trees. The pilot thought the helicopter was clear of the trees; however, the tailrotor impacted a tree. The helicopter started to spin, so he reduced the throttle to stop the spin. The helicopter impacted terrain, resulting in substantial damage the main rotor blades , fuselage, and tailboom.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7181S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7181S-2018-03-28), registration cancelled 2018-03-28, S/N 3008, built 1999 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ROBINSON HELICOPTER R22 BETA (BETA)
- Registry model: [Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA](https://openairdocs.org/model/robinson-helicopter-r22-beta) (registry code 7640110) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 3008
- Year built: 1999
- Engines: LYCOMING O&VO-360 SER reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Other work use, Part 91
- Operator: Southwest Texas Helicopters, Inc
- Registered owner: Graff Fred L II
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: Asherton, TX
- Destination: Asherton, TX

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 30; injuries: minor; commercial; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; seat: right; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 2,613 total, 2,481 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °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 20150215003939A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20150215003939A), Feb 15, 2015: Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA, Asherton, TX, Destroyed. On feb. 15, 2015, while herding cattle into pens, the Robinson Helicopter's tail rotor struck a mesquite tree, causing the pilot to lose control of the…

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 7, 2015, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=90782. 1.3 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 511 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40426012&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF
- Photo 1 - Wreckage (item 2, .PDF, 816 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40426013&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20-%20Wreckage-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.

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