# NTSB CEN20CA090: Robinson R22, N10786, Cotulla, TX, February 18, 2020 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: February 18, 2020, 08:20 local (14:20 UTC) - Place: Cotulla, TX - Coordinates: 28.458055, -99.220001 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.4581&lon=-99.2200&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Dynamic rollover](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/231) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 27, 2020 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 100957 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN20CA090 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/100957/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN20CA090 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to remove the right skid trailer tie-down before attempting to take off, which resulted in a dynamic roll-over. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Action: forgotten action/omission](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041035): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041035/cases.md?model=7640110), [All aircraft, 440 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041035/cases.md) - [Parking/securing: tie-down/mooring](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01011020): Aircraft › Aircraft handling/service · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01011020/cases.md?model=7640110), [All aircraft, 33 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01011020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Dynamic rollover](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/231) (defining event); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA, 35 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/231/sequence.md?model=7640110), [All aircraft, 161 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/231/sequence.md) - [Prior to flight: Aircraft inspection event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/050); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/050/sequence.md?model=7640110), [All aircraft, 229 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/050/sequence.md) ## Analysis The helicopter pilot was attempting to take off from a trailer to conduct an aerial survey. During the liftoff from the trailer, the helicopter rolled right and impacted the ground. Postaccident examination of the helicopter revealed that the right skid trailer tie-down had not been removed before the takeoff attempt. Both main rotors, the fuselage, and the tailboom sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The commercial pilot was attempting to takeoff from a trailer in a helicopter to conduct an aerial survey. During the lift off from the trailer, the helicopter rolled right and impacted the ground. A post accident inspection revealed that the right skid tie-down to the trailer had not been removed prior to the takeoff attempt. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N10786](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N10786-2020-08-28), registration cancelled 2020-08-28, S/N 2267, built 1993 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Robinson R22 (UNDESIGNAT) - Registry model: [Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA](https://openairdocs.org/model/robinson-helicopter-r22-beta) (registry code 7640110) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O-320-B2C](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-320-b2c) (registry code 42139, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 2267 - Year built: 1993 - Airframe hours: 1567.4 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-B2C 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial observation, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 10, 2019, 6.4 hours before - Departed: Cotulla, TX - Destination: Cotulla, TX ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 45; injuries: none; commercial; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review August 26, 2019; restraint: 3-point ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 100° at 8 knots - Visibility: 3 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 66 °F - Altimeter: 29.87 inHg ## 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 20200218002439A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20200218002439A), Feb 18, 2020: Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA, Cotulla, TX, Destroyed. Pilot was about to fly a ranch survey. Aircraft engine was started and pilot was lifting off trailer for the intended flight, when aircraft entered a dynamic… ## Other investigations on N10786 (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 ERA11LA392](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA11LA392), Jul 10, 2011: Robinson Helicopter R22 Beta (N10786), West Palm Beach, FL, substantial damage. Probable cause: Separation of the auxiliary fuel tank cap, which entered the tail rotor system. Contributing to the accident was the lack of a fuel tank cap restraint. 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.