# NTSB DFW05CA127: Robinson R22 Beta, N995JW, Rock Springs, TX, May 18, 2005 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 18, 2005, 09:30 local (14:30 UTC) - Place: Rock Springs, TX - Coordinates: 30.1, -100.26667 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.1000&lon=-100.2667&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious, 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 13, 2005 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: San Antonio, Texas - NTSB case key (mKey): 61525 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DFW05CA127 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/61525/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW05CA127 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain clearance with a static line. A contributing factor was the low altitude. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, maneuvering - object - wire,static - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - low altitude flight/maneuver, pilot in command (contributing factor) - evasive maneuver - attempted, pilot in command - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis During a wildlife trapping flight the pilot and passenger were in pursuit of a blackbuck. The pilot was attempting to maneuver the helicopter at low altitude so the passenger could shoot a net over the animal. As they maneuvered out of a draw and around a cedar tree, they observed power lines directly in front of them. The pilot attempted to maneuver the helicopter over the power lines but the landing skids caught the top wire. The helicopter hung on the wires for a brief time before the right landing skid broke. The helicopter fell and impacted the ground, coming to rest on its right side. ## Factual narrative On May 18, 2005, about 0930 central daylight time, a single-engine Robinson R22 Beta helicopter, N995JW, was substantially damaged during a collision with a static power line while maneuvering at low altitude near Rock Springs, Texas. The commercial pilot was seriously injured and the passenger sustained minor injuries. The helicopter was registered to and operated by the pilot. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 animal control flight. The local flight originated from a private ranch near Rock Springs, Texas. According to the 500-hour pilot, the helicopter was transported on a trailer to a private ranch near Rock Springs, Texas, to conduct a wildlife trapping flight. While in pursuit of the ninth blackbuck of the day, the pilot attempted to maneuver the helicopter close enough to allow the passenger to shoot a net to capture the animal. During this flight the mishap occurred. The pilot further reported that he had no memory of the collision or anything the rest of that day. During an interview with a Texas Department of Public Safety Officer and in a subsequent written statement the passenger reported, while in pursuit of a blackbuck they maneuvered out of a draw, around a cedar tree, and then observed power lines directly in front of them. The pilot attempted to maneuver the helicopter over the power lines, but the landing gear skids caught the top wire. The helicopter hung on the wires for a brief time before the right landing skid broke. After which, the helicopter fell and impacted the ground terrain. A Texas Department of Public Safety Officer reported, that the helicopter struck the top wire of a two-wire set. The top wire was frayed and most of the copper wires were peeled from the steel core wire. The helicopter came to rest on its right side and was facing a northerly direction approximately 30 feet south of the power line impact location. The right landing skid separated into several pieces, the rear section of the tail rotor was severed, and the main rotors were bent and remained attached to the helicopter. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N995JW](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N995JW-2017-03-06), registration cancelled 2017-03-06, S/N 2984, built 1999 (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 0-360-A1D](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-360-a1d) (registry code 41504, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 2984 - Airframe hours: 1885 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-J2A 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Other work use, Part 91 - Operator: Joseph M Meyer - Registered owner: Joseph M Meyer - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 1, 2005, 2 hours before - Departed: Rock Springs, TX ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 36; injuries: serious; commercial; medical: class 2; last flight review June 1, 2003; seat: right; flight hours: 500 total, 500 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 68 °F ## 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 20050518010839A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20050518010839A), May 18, 2005: Robsin R22BETA, Junction, TX, Substantial damage. (-23) Twenty miles south of Junction, Texas, the pilot [privacy data omitted] and [privacy data omitted] were pursuing "black bucks" (a type of antelope) and… ## Other investigations on N995JW (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 DFW05LA022](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW05LA022), Nov 8, 2004: Robinson R22 Beta (N995JW), Eagle Pass, TX, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain control of the helicopter. A contributing factor was the unsuitable terrain for landing. 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.