# NTSB CEN23LA245: Robinson Helicopter R22 Beta, N932SH, Louise, TX, June 18, 2023 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: June 18, 2023, 12:35 local (17:35 UTC) - Place: Louise, TX - Coordinates: 29.14, -96.43 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.1400&lon=-96.4300&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering-hover: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 192398 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN23LA245 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/192398/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=192398 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23LA245 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control in gusting wind conditions. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [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 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: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA, 14 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=7640110), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA, 13 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=7640110), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering-hover: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=7640110), [All aircraft, 1,127 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md) - [Maneuvering-hover: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA, 67 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=7640110), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Maneuvering-hover: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA, 17 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=7640110), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to the pilot, it was a windy day and also his first day performing aerial spray operations. While attempting to turn the helicopter from a west to east heading at about 10 feet off the ground, the pilot reported he lost directional control and the helicopter started to spin clockwise. His efforts to maintain control were not successful. He stated that the wind was beating him up, and most of his flight training did not include windy/gusty conditions. The helicopter impacted a rice field, which resulted in damage to the tail boom and rotor blades. The pilot reported there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N932SH](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N932SH), registered now, S/N 3899, built 2005 (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: 3899 - Year built: 2005 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-J2A 145 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: Louise, TX - Destination: Same as departure - Equipment: Electronic flight bag or handheld device ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 59; injuries: minor; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review March 11, 2022; seat: right; flight hours: 506 total, 254 in this make and model, 191 as pilot in command, 18 in the last 90 days, 0 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 210° at 14 knots, gusting 22 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 93 °F, dew point 75 °F - Altimeter: 29.81 inHg - Observed at: KARM, 23 nm away - METAR: KARM 181735Z AUTO 21014G22KT 10SM CLR 34/24 A2981 ## 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 20230618007989A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20230618007989A), Jun 18, 2023: Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA, Louise, TX, Substantial damage. Pilot stated that he was performing low level flight conducted for a rice farmer to assist the natural poulantion of the rice. He had flown for approx 2.5… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 28, 2023, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=192398. 3.1 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 2.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15949614&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Nazzaro-6120_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Photos (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 304 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15949624&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%20Array-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.