- Date
- June 26, 2018, 08:30 local (13:30 UTC)
- Place
- Encino, TX
- Injuries
- 2 minor
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Phase of flight
- Maneuvering
- Aircraft
- N122CHRobinson Helicopter R22 Beta
- Defining event
- Maneuvering: Miscellaneous/other
- Weather
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Status
- Completed · report February 11, 2020
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office
- Central Region
- FAA report
- 20180626008659A
- Case key
- 97604
From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.
On this page
Probable cause
The gunner's failure to ensure that the net would not ensnare the helicopter's skids once deployed, which resulted in the pilot being unable to maintain helicopter control as the bull pulled on the net and subsequent impact with terrain.
Findings · 2
NTSB’s coded findings. Those marked are part of the probable cause; the rest are factors or other findings. Under each, the cases with the same finding.
Sequence of events
The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event is the one that best describes the accident. Under each, the cases with the same event anywhere in their sequence.
Analysis
The purpose of the flight was to capture a bull with a net gun. While the pilot was maneuvering at low altitude, the gunner fired the net at a bull. The net deployed and ensnared the helicopter's skid and the bull. The bull continued to run, dragging the helicopter down, which resulted in the helicopter's collision with terrain. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the fuselage, main rotor, and tailboom, and the pilot and gunner sustained minor injuries. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.
Factual narrative
The purpose of the flight was to capture a bull with a net gun. While the pilot was maneuvering at low altitude, the gunner fired the net at a bull. The net deployed and ensnared the helicopter's skid and the bull. The bull continued to run, dragging the helicopter down, which resulted in the helicopter's collision with terrain. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the fuselage, main rotor, and tailboom, and the pilot and gunner sustained minor injuries. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.
Aircraft
- Registration
- N122CH
- Reported as
- Robinson Helicopter R22 Beta (BETA)
- Category
- Helicopter
- Serial number
- 4492
- Built
- 2010
- Engine
- Lycoming O-360-J2A, 145 horsepower, reciprocating
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Business · Part 91
- Operator
- Espejo Helicopter Leasing LLC
- Registered owner
- Espejo Helicopter Leasing LLC
- Airworthiness certificate
- Standard, Normal
- Last inspection
- Annual · June 15, 2018
- Departed
- Encino, TX
- Destination
- Encino, TX
Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.
Flight crew
As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.
- Role
- Pilot
- Age
- 37
- Injuries
- None
- Certificate
- Commercial
- Instrument ratings
- Helicopter
- Medical
- Class 2, Without waivers/limitations
- Seat
- Right
- Restraint
- Lap only
- Flight hours
- 3,420 total · 2,200 in this make and model · 3,357 as pilot in command · 75 in the last 90 days · 15 in the last 30 days
Weather
- Conditions
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Wind
- Calm
- Visibility
- 10 statute miles
- Temperature
- 75 °F, dew point 68 °F
Docket · 1
The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 12, 2019, on NTSB’s docket system: statements, records, photos and specialists’ reports. 8.5 MB in all.
FAA reports on this event · 1
The FAA’s own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date.