# NTSB CEN22FA288: Robinson Helicopter R44 II, N4124D, Blackwell, TX, June 26, 2022 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report - Date: June 26, 2022, 08:30 local (13:30 UTC) - Place: Blackwell, TX · Mesquite Grove - Coordinates: 32.151523, -100.33771 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.1515&lon=-100.3377&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: Fatal - Injuries: 1 fatal - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 3 - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: Robinson Helicopter, FAA FSADO - NTSB case key (mKey): 105354 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN22FA288 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/105354/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=105354 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN22FA288 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain proper altitude and clearance during low-level aerial application, resulting in an in-flight collision with power lines. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [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 R44 II, 39 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=7640122), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: use of equip/system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44 II, 14 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md?model=7640122), [All aircraft, 1,391 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: wire](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Awareness of condition (probable cause); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44 II, 26 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md?model=7640122), [All aircraft, 588 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/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: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220) (defining event); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44 II, 45 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md?model=7640122), [All aircraft, 780 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md) ## Analysis During an aerial application flight, the helicopter impacted power lines that were near the top of the canopy of a mesquite tree grove. The helicopter was destroyed during the impact. No radio or distress calls were heard from the pilot before the collision. Detailed examinations of the flight controls, airframe, and engine did not reveal any preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. Examination of the engine revealed multiple transfer marks and scoring consistent with engine rotation at the time of impact. The pilot's toxicology results indicated that he had used a cannabis product. The precise timing of his cannabis use, and whether he was experiencing impairing effects from that use at the time of the accident, could not be determined from available evidence. Thus, it is unknown whether effects of the pilot's cannabis use contributed to the accident. The pilot's autopsy identified mild coronary artery disease and mild left ventricular hypertrophy of the heart. This heart disease conveyed some increased risk of a sudden impairing or incapacitating cardiac event, such as heart attack or abnormal heartbeat. Based on available medical evidence, it was unlikely that the pilot's mild heart disease contributed to the accident. ## Factual narrative Review of maintenance logbooks for the airframe and engine did not reveal any uncorrected defects and the annual inspections were up to date. On June 26, 2022, about 0830 central daylight time, a Robinson R44 helicopter, N4124D, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Blackwell, Texas. The pilot sustained fatal injuries. The helicopter was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137 aerial application flight. The purpose of the aerial application flight was to apply selective herbicide targeting a large grove of mesquite trees. After loading the herbicides near the target spray area, the pilot took off and completed 2 or 3 passes over the mesquite grove. After about 3 to 4 minutes, the person who loaded the helicopter with chemicals heard a metallic-type impact sound coming from the direction of where the helicopter was spraying. He subsequently heard an impact sound and an abrupt end to the engine and rotor blade noise coming from that direction. He responded to the accident site as quickly as possible. There were no direct witnesses to the accident. There were no radio or distress calls heard from the pilot before the accident. An autopsy on the pilot was conducted at South Plains Forensic Pathology, Lubbock, Texas. The cause of death was blunt force injuries. The pilot's autopsy identified mild coronary artery disease and mild left ventricular hypertrophy of the heart. Toxicological tests were performed at the Federal Aviation Administration Forensic Sciences Laboratory, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. 3.5 ng/mL Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) was identified in heart blood, 11-hydroxy-delta-9-THC was detected in urine but not in the heart blood. Carboxy-delta-9-THC was detected in urine and 9.4 ng/mL in heart blood. A series of power poles running southwest to northeast carried two wires through the mesquite grove canopy. The poles measured about 23 ft tall with one wire on top and the second wire about 3 ft below the top wire. Both wires were found separated from the pole nearest the main wreckage and the top wire was broken in that area. The next pole to the northeast was shattered at the base and came to rest 100 ft to the south with the top wire separated and the lower wire still secure. On the next pole to the southwest, the top wire was separated, and the lower wire remained secure. The lower wire was found entangled around the main wreckage and had black paint transfer marks consistent with the helicopter’s paint. The top wire on both sides of the break had black paint transfer marks. The debris field extended 315 ft, oriented north and south, beginning 130 ft south of the closest pole and consisted mostly of tailcone and tail rotor drive components. The helicopter impacted the ground in a nose-low and left-side-low attitude. There was no postimpact fire. There was no indication of electrical arcing visible on the wires or wreckage. The main wreckage came to rest on a southerly heading about 320 ft south of theclosest pole with the top wire entangled in the helicopter fuselage. The first point of ground contact was 3 to 4 ft north of the main wreckage. Wires were found wrapped around the leading edge of the main rotor swashplate and score marks consistent with rotation were visible. More wires were found wrapped around the main rotor mast fairing, over the right side of the cabin roof, and down along the aft part of the cabin door. There were more wire score marks found on the hydraulic servo below the main rotor swashplate. Detailed examination of the helicopter airframe, flight controls, and engine did not reveal any preimpact anomalies. All separations in the flight controls were consistent with impact damage. The frame tube adjacent to the forward face of the upper sheave near the engine exhibited scuff marks in the direction of engine rotation. The forward face of the sheave exhibited score marks around its outer edge. There were black transfer marks on the tube frame consistent with impact from the adjacent engine drive belts. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4124D](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4124D), registered now, S/N 12095 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: ROBINSON HELICOPTER COMPANY R44 II - Registry model: [Robinson Helicopter R44 II](https://openairdocs.org/model/robinson-helicopter-r44-ii) (registry code 7640122) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-540-AE1A5](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-540-ae1a5) (registry code 41899, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 12095 - Year built: 2007 - Airframe hours: 2933 - Engines: Lycoming IO-540-AE1A5 280 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Aerial AG Services LLC - Registered owner: Ashcraft Matthew - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: 100 hour, June 5, 2022, 38 hours before - Destination: Same as departure - Equipment: Satellite tracking device, ADS-B ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 41; injuries: fatal; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; seat: right; restraint: 5-point; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,000 total, 800 in this make and model, 200 in the last 90 days, 50 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 360° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 50 °F - Altimeter: 30.22 inHg - Observed at: KSWW, 20 nm away - METAR: KSWW 261315Z AUTO 36004KT 10SM SCT100 29/10 A3022 RMK AO2 T02860097 ## 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 20220626007979A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20220626007979A), Jun 26, 2022: Robinson Helicopter Company R44 II, Blackwell, TX, Destroyed, 1 fatal. On June 26, 2022 a Robinson R44 helicopter, N4124D was involved in a fatal accident while conducting an aerial application under 14CFR 137. The commercial… ## Docket (9 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 5, 2024, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=105354. 59.5 MB in all. - NTSB form 6120 pilot operator report (item 1, PDF, 9 pages, 3.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17036086&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=NTSB%20Form%206120%20Pilot%20Operator%20Report%20CEN22FA288_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Accident site schematic with legend power line and wreckage locations (item 2, PDF, 2 pages, 992 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17032917&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Accident%20Site%20Schematic%20with%20Legend%20Power%20Line%20and%20Wreckage%20Locations%20CEN22FA288-Rel.pdf - Investigation photographs (item 3, PDF, 8 pages, 8.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17035571&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Investigation%20Photographs%20CEN22FA288-Rel.pdf - Engine examination findings after recovery (item 4, PDF, 4 pages, 450 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17033134&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Engine%20Examination%20Findings%20After%20Recovery%20CEN22FA288-Rel.pdf - Airframe log excerpts (item 5, PDF, 5 pages, 20.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17032983&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Airframe%20Log%20Excerpts%20CEN22FA288_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Engine log excerpts (item 6, PDF, 5 pages, 20.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17033641&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Engine%20Log%20Excerpts%20CEN22FA288_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Medical factual memorandum (item 7, PDF, 4 pages, 181 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17033852&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Medical%20Factual%20Memorandum%20CEN22FA288-Rel.pdf - Pilot toxicology report (item 8, PDF, 1 page, 97 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17033229&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Pilot%20Toxicology%20Report%20CEN22FA288_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Certificate of party representative Robinson CEN22FA288 (item 9, PDF, 1 page, 4.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17033631&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Certificate%20of%20Party%20Representative%20Robinson%20CEN22FA288_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.