# NTSB CEN21FA410: Robinson Helicopter R22 Beta, N292DD, Mentone, TX, September 10, 2021 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report - Date: September 10, 2021, 09:30 local (14:30 UTC) - Place: Mentone, TX - Coordinates: 31.855628, -103.49411 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.8556&lon=-103.4941&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 1 fatal - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 3 - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 103836 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN21FA410 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/103836/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=103836 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21FA410 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from powerlines while maneuvering at low altitude. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Action: lack of action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA, 16 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030/cases.md?model=7640110), [All aircraft, 792 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: wire](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md?model=7640110), [All aircraft, 588 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/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 R22 BETA, 25 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=7640110), [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) (defining event); 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) ## Analysis The flight was operated for the purpose of gathering cattle. The pilot departed from a temporary staging area and completed multiple passes in the area over an approximate 1 hour and 40-minute period. Ground support personnel observed the helicopter six times during that time; however, there were no witnesses to the accident. The helicopter wreckage was located near a set of powerlines in an area of low brush. One power transmission line was separated and draped over the intact lines. The forward fuselage exhibited localized discoloration consistent with electrical arcing damage. Repetitive linear marks consistent with powerline contact were present aft of the arcing damage. Postaccident airframe and engine examinations did not identify any anomalies consistent with a preimpact failure or malfunction. Based on the available information, it is likely that the pilot did not see the powerlines while maneuvering at low altitude, which resulted in an in-flight collision with the powerlines. ## Factual narrative On September 10, 2021, about 0930 central daylight time, a Robinson Helicopter R22 Beta, N292DD, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Mentone, Texas. The pilot was fatally injured. The helicopter was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 aerial observation flight. The flight was operated for the purpose of gathering cattle. GPS position data revealed that the flight departed a local staging area about 0749. The pilot proceeded about 3 miles east and, beginning about 0752, completed multiple passes in an approximate 3-mile by 3-mile area. Ground support personnel observed the helicopter six times between 0800 and 0840. About 0859, the pilot transitioned to an area about 2 miles north of the initial area and completed multiple passes. The final GPS data point was recorded at 0926:37 about 1/2-mile north of the accident site. Due to data buffering in the GPS device, the final portion of the flight was not recorded. The wreckage was discovered about 1557 and local authorities were contacted. There were no known witnesses to the accident. The helicopter wreckage was located about 50 ft from a set of power lines in an area of low brush. The powerline support poles extended to about 50 ft above ground level (agl); the transmission lines were about 45 ft agl. One power transmission line was separated and draped over the intact lines. The helicopter sustained damage to the fuselage, tail boom, and main rotor blades. The fuselage nose exhibited localized discoloration consistent with electrical arcing damage. Repetitive linear marks consistent with powerline contact were present aft of the arcing damage. The aft portion of the tail boom, including the tail rotor assembly, was separated and located near the main wreckage. Fragments of the tail boom in the area of the separation exhibited scuffing marks consistent with contact with a main rotor blade. Both main rotor and both tail rotor blades were damaged but remained secured to their respective hubs. Postaccident airframe and engine examinations did not identify any anomalies consistent with a preimpact failure or malfunction. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N292DD](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N292DD-2021-11-20), registration cancelled 2021-11-20, S/N 3396 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: ROBINSON HELICOPTER R22 BETA - Registry model: [Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA](https://openairdocs.org/model/robinson-helicopter-r22-beta) (registry code 7640110) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-360-series) (registry code 41575, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 3396 - Year built: 2002 - Airframe hours: 5130 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-J2A 145 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial observation, Part 91 - Operator: Concho Aviation LLC - Registered owner: Concho Aviation LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, June 25, 2021, 80 hours before - Departed: PVT, Sterling City, TX - Equipment: Handheld GPS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 40; injuries: fatal; flight instructor, commercial; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; seat: right; restraint: 3-point; toxicology performed; flight hours: 225 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 160° at 9 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 52 °F - Altimeter: 30.14 inHg - Observed at: KINK, 16 nm away - METAR: METAR KINK 101353Z AUTO 16009KT 10SM CLR 21/11 A3014 ## 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 20210910014069A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20210910014069A), Sep 10, 2021: Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA, Mentone, TX, Destroyed, 1 fatal. On September 10, 2021, at approximately 0930, a Robinson R22 aircraft bearing registration number N292DD,[privacy data omitted], hit power lines and impacted… ## Docket (10 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 23, 2022, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=103836. 679 MB in all. - Witness statement (item 1, PDF, 1 page, 20.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13206355&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Witness%20Stmt%20--%20CEN21FA410_redacted-Rel.pdf - Accident photos (item 2, PDF, 13 pages, 4.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13206795&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Accident%20Photos%20--%20CEN21FA410-Rel.pdf - Global positioning system device - specialist's factual report (item 3, PDF, 8 pages, 14.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13056898&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=CEN21FA410%20Global%20Positioning%20System%20Device%20-%20Specialist%27s%20Factual%20Report-Rel.pdf - Attachment 1 to global positioning system device - specialist's factual report (item 4, CSV, 39 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13057190&FileExtension=csv&FileName=CEN21FA410%20Attachment%201%20to%20Global%20Positioning%20System%20Device%20-%20Specialist%27s%20Factual%20Report-Rel.csv - Examination summary (item 5, PDF, 3 pages, 157 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13207489&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Examination%20Summary%20--%20CEN21FA410-Rel.pdf - Maintenance records -- airframe (item 6, PDF, 15 pages, 345 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13207015&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Maintenance%20Records%20--%20Airframe_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Maintenance records -- engine (item 7, PDF, 12 pages, 291 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13206585&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Maintenance%20Records%20--%20Engine_redacted-Rel.pdf - Autopsy memo (item 8, PDF, 1 page, 128 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13206575&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Autopsy%20Memo%20--%20CEN21FA410-Rel.pdf - Toxicological report (item 9, PDF, 1 page, 2.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13206365&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Toxicology%20Rpt%20--%20CEN21FA410_redacted-Rel.pdf - Release of aircraft wreckage, NTSB form 6120.15 (item 10, PDF, 1 page, 1.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13207135&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Release%20of%20Wreckage%20--%20CEN21FA410_redacted-Rel.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.