# NTSB DEN08CA148: Robinson R-22, N2312, Refugio, TX, August 29, 2008

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: August 29, 2008, 18:00 local (23:00 UTC)
- Place: Refugio, TX
- Coordinates: 28.365554, -97.111946
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.3656&lon=-97.1119&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Landing: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 22, 2009
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: San Antonio
- NTSB case key (mKey): 68850
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN08CA148
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/68850/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN08CA148

## Probable cause

The pilot failed to maintain adequate airspeed while maneuvering to land.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Performance/control parameters: airspeed](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [All aircraft, 1,681 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md)
- [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Landing: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md)
- [Landing-flare/touchdown: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092); cases with it: [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot and non-rated passenger were conducting a wildlife survey of a ranch. According to the pilot he was maneuvering to land on a ranch road at about 50-60 feet and turned into the wind. During the turn he got too slow and the low rotor horn sounded and the low rotor light illuminated. He was unable to recover the descent or go around, resulting in a hard landing. During the landing a main rotor contacted the tail boom. An examination of the helicopter revealed the tail boom separated from the fuselage.

## Factual narrative

The pilot and non-rated passenger were conducting a wildlife survey of a ranch. The pilot transported his helicopter to the ranch on a trailer and launched from the trailer. According to the pilot he was maneuvering to land on a ranch road at about 50-60 feet and turned into the wind. During the turn he got too slow and the low rotor horn sounded and the low rotor light illuminated. He was unable to recover the descent or go around, resulting in a hard landing. During the landing a main rotor contacted the tail boom. An examination of the helicopter revealed the tail boom separated from the fuselage.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N2312 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: Robinson R-22
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 1973
- Engines: Textron Lycoming o-320-b2c reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial observation, Part 91
- Operator: Coastal Bend Helicopter Services LLC, doing business as Coastal Bend Helicopter Services LLC
- Registered owner: Coastal Bend Helicopter Services LLC
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: Refugio, TX
- Destination: Refugio, TX
- Airport: N/A, Not Applicable

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; injuries: none; commercial; medical: class 2; last flight review September 1, 2007; flight hours: 622 total, 585 in this make and model, 129 in the last 90 days, 51 in the last 30 days, 12 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 150° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Temperature: 95 °F

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.

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