# NTSB CHI03LA182: Robinson R-22 Beta, N933CB, Dexter, MO, June 25, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 25, 2003, 10:02 local (15:02 UTC) - Place: Dexter, MO - Coordinates: 36.7775, -89.941108 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.7775&lon=-89.9411&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 1 fatal - Status: Completed, report December 30, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA- St. Louis FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 57306 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI03LA182 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/57306/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI03LA182 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate visual lookout and failure to maintain clearance from the wires during the aerial application flight. Factors contributing to the accident were the helicopter's low altitude and the transmission wires. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, maneuvering - aerial application - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - altitude/clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - altitude - low (contributing factor) - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis The helicopter was destroyed by impact and a post-impact fire, following an in-flight collision with transmission wires during an aerial application maneuver. No anomalies were found with the helicopter that could be associated with any pre-impact condition. ## Factual narrative HISTORY OF FLIGHT On June 25, 2003, at 1002 central daylight time, a Robinson R-22 Beta, N933CB, operated by Show-Me Helicopters, was destroyed during a post-impact fire following an in-flight collision with wires and terrain near Dexter, Missouri. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The commercial pilot sustained fatal injuries. The 14 CFR Part 137 aerial application flight was not operating on a flight plan. The local flight departed from Dexter Municipal Airport (DXE), Dexter, Missouri, at 0917. According to a witness, the helicopter had finished its aerial application of a cotton field and was climbing out when it impacted the transmission wires. The witness reported the helicopter was on fire and smoking prior to impacting the terrain. The witness stated the helicopter descended in a spiral and was consumed during the subsequent post-impact fire. Several other witnesses reported seeing the helicopter impact the wires and begin to emit smoke and flames prior to impacting the terrain. The witness statements are included with the docket material associated with this accident report. PERSONNEL INFORMATION According to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) records, the pilot held a commercial pilot certificate with ratings for helicopters and single engine land airplanes. The commercial pilot certificate contained the restriction, "carrying passengers in airplanes for hire is prohibited at night and on cross-country flights of more than 50 nautical miles." According to FAA records, the pilot completed his last aviation medical examination on July 5, 2002, and was issued a second-class medical certificate with the limitation, "must have available glasses for near vision." The operator reported the pilot had accumulated a total flight time of 3,714 hours, of which 1,117 hours were in helicopters and 2,597 hours were in airplanes. The pilot had flown 20 hours in the previous 30 days and 5 hours during the last 24 hours. AIRCRAFT INFORMATION The helicopter was a Robinson R-22 Beta, serial number 1191. At the time of the accident, the helicopter had accumulated 3,830 hours since new. The last annual inspection was on June 18, 2003, and the helicopter had accumulated approximately seven hours since the last inspection. The engine was a 160 horsepower Lycoming O-320-B2C, serial number RL-17923-39A. At the time of the accident, the engine had accumulated 1,850 hours since the last overhaul. METEOROLOGICAL INFORMATION A weather reporting station, located at Poplar Bluff Municipal Airport, approximately 26 miles to the southwest of the accident site, recorded the weather conditions at 0955 as: Wind: 230 degrees at 8 knots Visibility: 8 statute miles Sky Condition: Sky clear Temperature: 29 degrees Celsius Dew Point: 22 degrees Celsius Pressure: 30.08 inches of mercury WRECKAGE AND IMPACT INFORMATION The wreckage was located in a cotton field and a severed power transmission line was found near the accident site. The power transmission lines ran perpendicular to an east/west-orientated road that was adjacent to the cotton field in which the main wreckage was found. The pre-impact height of the lower line was reported to be 30 feet and the height of the upper power lines was reported to be 65 feet. Approximately 4 feet of the tail boom assembly, including the tail rotor and gearbox, was found separated from the main wreckage. The engine was extensively damaged by the post-impact fire, but remained attached to the engine mountings in the engine compartment. The front third of the helicopter's landing skid assembly was found separated and in front of the main wreckage. During a post-accident inspection of the aircraft, no anomalies were found with the helicopter that could be associated with any pre-impact condition. MEDICAL AND PATHOLOGICAL INFORMATION An autopsy was performed on the pilot at the Mineral Area Regional Medical Center Morgue, Farmington, Missouri, on June 26, 2003. A Forensic Toxicology Fatal Accident Report was prepared by the FAA Civil Aeromedical Institute, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The toxicology results for the pilot were: * No Carbon Monoxide detected in Blood * No Cyanide detected in Blood * No Ethanol detected in Vitreous * No Drugs detected in Urine ## Aircraft - Registration: [N933CB](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N933CB-2017-06-15), registration cancelled 2017-06-15, S/N 1191, built 1989 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Robinson R-22 Beta - Registry model: [Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA](https://openairdocs.org/model/robinson-helicopter-r22-beta) (registry code 7640110) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 1191 - Airframe hours: 3830 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-B2C 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Fire: Both - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Show-Me Helicopters - Registered owner: E T Page - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, June 18, 2003, 7 hours before - Departed: DXE, Dexter, MO - Destination: Dexter, MO ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 41; injuries: fatal; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review August 19, 2002; seat: right; toxicology performed; flight hours: 3,714 total, 20 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 230° at 8 knots - Visibility: 8 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 72 °F - Altimeter: 30.07 inHg - Observed at: POF, 26 nm away ## 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 20030625013879A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030625013879A), Jun 25, 2003: Robsin R22BETA, Dexter, MO, Destroyed, 1 fatal. (-23) N933CB, a R-22 helicopter, was conducting aerial application (FAR 137) operations. During climb-out on what appears to be the end of the aircraft's… ## Other investigations on N933CB (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 SEA89LA144](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA89LA144), Jul 31, 1989: Robinson R22 (N933CB), Brinnon, WA, destroyed. Probable cause: THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE IN-FLIGHT PLANNING. THE HELICOPTER SKID CONTACTED THE WATER AS A RESULT OF THE PILOT'S MISJUDGEMENT OF CLEARANCE ABOVE THE WATER. 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.