# NTSB DFW07LA088: Robinson R22 Beta, N854WT, Laredo, TX, March 25, 2007 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 25, 2007, 08:45 local (13:45 UTC) - Place: Laredo, TX - Coordinates: 27.549467, -99.460128 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.5495&lon=-99.4601&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 27, 2007 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: San Antonio - NTSB case key (mKey): 65495 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DFW07LA088 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/65495/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW07LA088 ## Probable cause The loss of engine power for undetermined reason. A contributing factor was the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, maneuvering - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - Roll over, emergency descent/landing - terrain condition - rough/uneven - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor) ## Analysis The 602-hour commercial helicopter pilot, who reported having accumulated 597-hours in the same make and model helicopter, reported that he was in herding cattle over as small creek at approximately 60 to 75 feet above the ground, when he experienced a loss of engine power. The pilot added that he tried to regain engine, but was unable. The pilot entered an autorotation to the rough and uneven terrain. The helicopter touched down on sloping terrain and the helicopter rolled over. The helicopter came to rest on its left side amidst brushes in the sloping terrain. There was no fire. An FAA inspector examined the wreckage of the helicopter after it was recovered to the operator's maintenance facility. The 2000 model helicopter was reported to have accumulated a total of 1,479.1 hours as of the time of its last 100-hour inspection on January 29, 2007. The pilot reported that he suspected that the loss of engine power was the result of a loss of fuel pressure. The fuel pump was found to be functional when tested on the helicopter. No anomalies were found with the engine that could have prevented normal engine operation. The reason for the reported loss of engine power could not be determined. The weather reported at the nearest reporting station located 14 miles west from the accident site, was reporting wind from 135 degrees at 7 knots, 8 miles visibility, temperature 71 degrees Fahrenheit, dew point 66 degrees Fahrenheit, and a barometric pressure setting of 30.09 inches of Mercury. The investigator-in-charge calculated the density altitude at 1,302 feet. ## Factual narrative On March 25, 2007 at 0845 central daylight time a single-engine Robinson R22 Beta helicopter, N845WT, was substantially damaged following a loss of power during while maneuvering near Laredo, Texas. The commercial pilot, sole occupant of the helicopter, was not injured. The helicopter was owned and operated by Smith Helicopters, Inc., of Cotulla, Texas. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 cattle herding flight. The flight originated from another site within the same ranch at time unknown. The 602-hours commercial helicopter pilot, who reported having accumulated 597-hours in the same make and model helicopter, reported that he was in herding cattle over as small creek at approximately 60 to 75 feet above the ground, when he experienced a loss of engine power. The pilot added that he tried to regain the lost power, but was unable. The pilot entered an autorotation to the rough and uneven terrain. The helicopter touched down on sloping terrain and the helicopter rolled over. The helicopter came to rest on its left side amidst brushes in the sloping terrain. There was no fire. The helicopter had about 12 to 15 gallons of 100 LL aviation fuel on board prior to the start of the cattle herding mission. The helicopter sustained structural damage the airframe and tailboom. Additionally both main rotor blades were destroyed. The landing skids, tail rotor blades and the bubble were also damaged. An FAA inspector examined the wreckage of the helicopter after it was recovered to the operator's maintenance facility. The 2000 model helicopter was reported to have accumulated a total of 1,479.1 hours as of the time of its last 100-hour inspection on January 29, 2007. The pilot reported that he suspected that the loss of engine power was the result of a loss of fuel pressure. The fuel pump was found to be functional when tested on the helicopter. No anomalies were found with the engine that could have prevented normal engine operation. The reason for the reported loss of engine power could not be determined. At 0838, a weather reporting station at Laredo International Airport (LRD), near Laredo Texas, located 14 miles west from the accident site, was reporting wind from 135 degrees at 7 knots, 8 miles visibility, temperature 71 degrees Fahrenheit, dew point 66 degrees Fahrenheit, and a barometric pressure setting of 30.09 inches of Mercury. The investigator-in-charge calculated the density altitude at 1,302 feet at the time of the mishap. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N854WT](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N854WT-2019-02-26), registration cancelled 2019-02-26, S/N 3063, built 2000 (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&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 3063 - Airframe hours: 1479 - Engines: Lycoming O-360 140 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Business, Part 91 - Registered owner: Smith Helicopters - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, January 1, 2007 ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 25; injuries: none; commercial; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review September 1, 2006; seat: right; flight hours: 601 total, 596 in this make and model, 546 as pilot in command, 175 in the last 90 days, 75 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 135° at 7 knots - Visibility: 8 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 64 °F - Altimeter: 30.38 inHg - Observed at: LRD ## Other investigations on N854WT (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 FTW03LA168](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW03LA168), Jun 8, 2003: Robinson R-22 Beta (N854WT), Encinal, TX, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a tree. A contributing factor was the pilot's diverted attention. 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.