# NTSB CEN22LA033: Robinson Helicopter R22 Beta, N7198A, Freer, TX, November 10, 2021 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: November 10, 2021, 13:30 local (19:30 UTC) - Place: Freer, TX - Coordinates: 27.8828, -98.6178 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.8828&lon=-98.6178&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Settling with power/vortex ring state](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/244) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 104246 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN22LA033 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/104246/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=104246 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN22LA033 ## Probable cause The pilot’s encounter with ‘settling with power’ while maneuvering at a low altitude, which resulted in a rapid descent and subsequent hard landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Personnel issues](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02040000): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot; cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02040000/cases.md?model=7640110), [All aircraft, 56 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02040000/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot; cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA, 96 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7640110), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Attain/maintain not possible; 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: Settling with power/vortex ring state](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/244) (defining event); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/244/sequence.md?model=7640110), [All aircraft, 52 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/244/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA, 54 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=7640110), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that the purpose of the flight was to capture deer on a private ranch. About 30 minutes into the flight, while the helicopter was following a deer and about 20 ft above the ground, the pilot turned downwind and felt the helicopter shutter. He immediately realized that he got into a state of “settling with power.” The pilot reported that he attempted to keep the helicopter straight, flat, and upright as it contacted the ground. The helicopter bounced about 3 times before coming to a stop upright. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the main rotor blades and the tail boom. The pilot reported there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operations. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7198A](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7198A), registered now, S/N 3216, built 2001 (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&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 3216 - Year built: 2001 - Airframe hours: 6424 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-J2A 145 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Other work use, Part 91 - Operator: Flying J Services LLC - Registered owner: Flying J Services LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 21, 2021 - Equipment: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 52; injuries: none; commercial; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review June 21, 2021; seat: right; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 6,760 total, 3,590 in this make and model, 6,760 as pilot in command, 117 in the last 90 days, 60 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 150° at 14 knots, gusting 20 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 61 °F - Altimeter: 29.83 inHg - Observed at: KNOG, 30 nm away - METAR: KNOG 1020562 AUTO 15014G20KT I0SM SCT055 29/16 A2983 RMK AO2 SLP082 6//// T02940\6l 56036 PNO $ ## 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 20211110019189A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20211110019189A), Nov 10, 2021: Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA, Freer, TX, Substantial damage. Around 1:00 pm on 11/10/2021, pilot stated he started flying a R22 (N7198A) to capture deer on xm villa ranch (16893 east state highway 44, encinal, TX). After… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 5, 2022, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=104246. 5.2 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 9 pages, 3.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12979647&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120_Redacted2-Rel.pdf - On scene photos (item 2, PDF, 2 pages, 2.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12979013&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=on%20scene%20photos-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.