# NTSB CHI08CA238: Robinson R22 Beta, N57UP, Buffalo, ND, August 5, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 5, 2008, 11:15 local (16:15 UTC) - Place: Buffalo, ND - Coordinates: 46.926387, -97.535278 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.9264&lon=-97.5353&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Abrupt maneuver](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/270) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 28, 2008 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - Fargo FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 68653 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI08CA238 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/68653/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI08CA238 ## Probable cause The pilot's excessive descent rate and his failure to maintain clearance from terrain during the spray run entry. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: descent rate](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062037): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062037/cases.md?model=7640110), [All aircraft, 242 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062037/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: Abrupt maneuver](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/270) (defining event); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/270/sequence.md?model=7640110), [All aircraft, 346 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/270/sequence.md) - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); 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 pilot reported that after passing over power lines, he performed a steep descent toward the field he was spraying. The helicopter had a "high descent rate and excessive nose down attitude" during the spray run entry. The pilot was unable to arrest the descent before the main rotor speed dropped below a safe operating speed. A run-on landing was made in the field at about 30 mph, but the helicopter pitched forward and the main rotor impacted terrain. The main rotor, tailboom, fuselage, and landing skids were damaged. The pilot reported that the accident could have been prevented if he had performed a "less aggressive spray run entry." ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that after passing over power lines, he performed a steep descent toward the field he was spraying. The helicopter had a "high descent rate and excessive nose down attitude" during the spray run entry. The pilot was unable to arrest the descent before the main rotor speed dropped below a safe operating speed. A run-on landing was made in the field at about 30 mph, but the helicopter pitched forward and the main rotor impacted terrain. The main rotor, tailboom, fuselage, and landing skids were damaged. The pilot reported that the accident could have been prevented if he had performed a "less aggressive spray run entry." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N57UP](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N57UP-2011-04-27), registration cancelled 2011-04-27, S/N 2449, built 1994 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Robinson R22 Beta - Registry model: [Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA](https://openairdocs.org/model/robinson-helicopter-r22-beta) (registry code 7640110) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O-320-B2C](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-320-b2c) (registry code 42139, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 2449 - Airframe hours: 3530.6 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-B2C 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Strategic Air, LLC. - Registered owner: Venture Air, LLC. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, April 1, 2008 - Departed: Buffalo, ND - Destination: Buffalo, ND ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 28; injuries: none; flight instructor, airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter, airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review April 1, 2008; seat: right; flight hours: 4,700 total, 700 in this make and model, 4,400 as pilot in command, 178 in the last 90 days, 60 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 59 °F - Altimeter: 30.06 inHg - Observed at: FAR, 29 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 20080805846269A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080805846269A), Aug 5, 2008: Robsin R22BETA, Buffalo, ND, Substantial damage. (-23) On August 5, 2008, at 11:17 hrs CST, a Robinson R22 helicopter, N57UP, registered to venture air LLC contacted terrain while performing an aerial… 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.