# NTSB CEN18FA244: Robinson R22, N787SH, Sterling City, TX, June 30, 2018 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report - Date: June 29, 2018, 20:10 local (Jun 30, 2018, 01:10 UTC) - Place: Sterling City, TX - Coordinates: 31.86, -101.086112 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.8600&lon=-101.0861&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 1 fatal - Status: Completed, report August 25, 2020 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA FSDO, Lycoming Engines, Robinson Helicopters - NTSB case key (mKey): 97647 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN18FA244 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/97647/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=97647 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN18FA244 ## Probable cause A loss of control during the landing approach for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Not determined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000): Not determined › Not determined · Unknown/Not determined (probable cause); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R22, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md?model=7640102), [All aircraft, 2,247 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R22, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md?model=7640102), [All aircraft, 1,269 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R22, 18 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7640102), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R22, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=7640102), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Landing: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R22, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=7640102), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of the helicopter was approaching to land on a trailer following a short local flight. A witness saw the pilot abort the landing approach and stated that the helicopter backed away from the trailer, began to climb, then entered a "violent" counterclockwise spin as it climbed to about 20 to 25 ft above the ground. The helicopter spun 4 or 5 times, then the witness heard a loud noise like an engine backfire and the helicopter "fell" to the ground and came to rest on its right side. Examination of the airframe, drive systems, flight controls, and engine did not reveal any pre-impact mechanical anomalies that would have resulted in a loss of control. The helicopter was configured with a single set of flight controls (pedals, collective, and cyclic) on the right side; the left side controls were not installed, and the cover plate for the removed left pedal assembly was not installed. Three metal ammunition boxes containing tools and loose shotgun shells were recovered from the debris field. During postaccident examination, the boxes were placed on the left side floor to determine whether they may have interfered with pedal movement. The edge of the most-forward box covered the top of the left side pedal receiver when the right pedal was positioned aft of neutral. Shotgun shells were recovered from the left floor area, the belly area, and in the debris field. One shell had a dent in the plastic shell; however, the origin of the dent could not be confirmed. Due to impact damage to the floor and pedal assemblies, whether any of these items may have interfered with pedal movement during the flight could not be determined. The pilot had over 20,000 hours in the type of helicopter. No mechanical anomalies were found that could have precluded normal operations. It is possible that the counterclockwise spin could have been a result of pedal control interference from the ammo cans or shotgun shells on the uncovered left pedal assembly; however, control interference could not be determined conclusively. ## Factual narrative The helicopter was configured with a single set of flight controls (pedals, collective, and cyclic) at the right seat. The left seat pilot controls were not installed, and the cover plate for the removed left pedal assembly was not installed. The operator stated that the helicopter was routinely used in cattle roundup and predator mitigation operations. The helicopter had flown a previous flight of about 3.7 hours on the morning of the accident. The pilot who conducted that flight did not report any anomalies with the helicopter. On June 29, 2018, about 2010 central daylight time, a Robinson R22B, N787SH, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Sterling, Texas. The pilot was fatally injured. The helicopter was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 work use flight. The purpose of the flight was to inspect a nearby stock water tank and inoperative water pump. The pilot had completed the flight and was returning to land on the helicopter's trailer when the accident occurred. A witness, who was located at the home base, stated that she saw the helicopter make an approach to land on the trailer, but the pilot aborted the landing, and the helicopter backed away from the trailer and climbed. The helicopter then began "a violent spin" as it climbed to 20 to 25 ft above the ground. The helicopter spun 4 or 5 times, then the witness heard a loud noise like an engine backfire and the helicopter "fell" to the ground. She could not recall whether she heard the engine producing power following the backfire noise. The witness stated that she thought the spin was in the counterclockwise direction but was not positive. She did not see the impact because of building obstructions. The engine was not running when she reached the helicopter. South Plains Forensic Pathology, Lubbock, Texas, performed an autopsy of the pilot. The pilot's cause of death was multiple blunt force injuries. The FAA's Forensic Sciences Laboratory performed toxicology testing on the pilot's tissue samples. The toxicology tests were negative for drugs and ethanol. Small amounts of over-the-counter medicine for hay fever and allergies were present. A company pilot reported that the wind was about 10-12 knots from the south about the time of the accident. The accident site was located about 200 ft from its intended landing site on the transport trailer. The helicopter impacted level terrain and came to rest on its right side. There was no evidence of contact with obstructions during the approach. The fuselage sustained impact damage to its lower right side. Both pilot and passenger doors were not installed. Three ammunition cans containing tools and several loose shotgun shells (discharged and undischarged) were present within the wreckage area. Several shotgun shells were recovered from the left floor area, the belly area, and in the debris field. One shotgun shell had a dent in the plastic shell. Examination of the airframe and engine did not reveal anypre-impact mechanical anomalies. Flight control continuity was confirmed from the cockpit to the flight control surfaces. The ammunition boxes were placed on the left side cockpit floor to observe the geometry of the boxes in relation to the removed left pedal assembly. The edge of the most-forward box covered the top of the left side pedal receiver when the right pedal was positioned aft of neutral. Due to impact damage the position of the ammunition boxes and dented shotgun shell during the flight could not be determined. Detailed airframe and engine examination findings are included in the public docket for this accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N787SH](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N787SH-2020-04-27), registration cancelled 2020-04-27, S/N 3627, built 2004 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Robinson R22 (BETA) - 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: 3627 - Year built: 2004 - Airframe hours: 6017.3 - Engines: Lycoming O-360 SERIES 145 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Other work use, Part 91 - Operator: Concho Aviation LLC - Registered owner: Concho Aviation LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, June 19, 2018, 17 hours before - Departed: Sterling City, TX - Destination: Sterling City, TX - Equipment: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 66; injuries: fatal; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review August 15, 2017; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; toxicology performed; flight hours: 28,000 total, 20,000 in this make and model, 250 in the last 90 days, 90 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 10 knots, gusting 3 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 1,000 ft overcast - Temperature: 203 °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 20180629010769A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20180629010769A), Jun 29, 2018: Robinson Helicopter Company R22, Sterling City, TX, Destroyed, 1 fatal. June 29, 2018, at approximately 2013 CDT, N787SH, a Robinson R22 helicopter impacted with the terrain. Pilot was attempting to land on a transport trailer on… ## Docket (9 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 31, 2020, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=97647. 6.6 MB in all. - NTSB Form 6120 Pilot Operator Report CEN18FA244 (item 1, .PDF, 3.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40485660&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=NTSB%20Form%206120%20Pilot%20Operator%20Report%20CEN18FA244-Master.PDF - Memorandum for the Record Witness Statement Summary CEN18FA244 (item 2, .PDF, 181 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40485661&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20the%20Record%20Witness%20Statement%20Summary%20CEN18FA244-Master.PDF - Memorandum for the Record Airframe Examinations Findings CEN18FA244 (item 3, .PDF, 194 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40485662&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20the%20Record%20Airframe%20Examinations%20Findings%20CEN18FA244-Master.PDF - Memorandum for the Record Engine Examination Findings CEN18FA244 (item 4, .PDF, 189 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40485663&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20the%20Record%20Engine%20Examination%20Findings%20CEN18FA244-Master.PDF - Memorandum for the Record Operator Report on Flight Purpose CEN18FA244 (item 5, .PDF, 180 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40485664&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20the%20Record%20Operator%20Report%20on%20Flight%20Purpose%20CEN18FA244-Master.PDF - Image of Accident Area including Accident Site and Intended Landing Trailer CEN18FA244 (item 6, .PDF, 984 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40485665&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Image%20of%20Accident%20Area%20including%20Accident%20Site%20and%20Intended%20Landing%20Trailer%20CEN18FA244-Master.PDF - 508 Compliant Image of Accident Area including Accident Site and Intended Landing Trailer (item 7, .PDF, 979 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40485666&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=508%20Compliant%20Image%20of%20Accident%20Area%20including%20Accident%20Site%20and%20Intended%20Landing%20Trailer-Master.PDF - Sterling County Sheriff Report CEN18FA244 (item 8, .PDF, 521 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40485667&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Sterling%20County%20Sheriff%20Report%20CEN18FA244-Master.PDF - Toxicology Report CEN18FA244 (item 9, .PDF, 172 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40485668&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Toxicology%20Report%20CEN18FA244-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.