# NTSB DFW08CA198: Robinson R22, N2330Y, Rosharon, TX, July 25, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 25, 2008, 13:15 local (18:15 UTC) - Place: Rosharon, TX - Coordinates: 29.633333, -95.616668 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.6333&lon=-95.6167&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 28, 2008 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 68523 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DFW08CA198 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/68523/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW08CA198 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain terrain clearance while maneuvering. Contributing to the accident was the low altitude. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Engine fuel and control: fuel control/carburetor](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057322): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Fatigue/wear/corrosion (probable cause); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057322/cases.md?model=7640110), [All aircraft, 195 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057322/cases.md) - [Inspection](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061500): Personnel issues › Task performance · Owner/builder (probable cause); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061500/cases.md?model=7640110), [All aircraft, 29 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061500/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: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) (defining event); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA, 18 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=7640110), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA, 23 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=7640110), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Landing: 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 was maneuvering a single-engine helicopter at a low altitude over a rice field when the tail rotor "dipped into the rice causing it to fail." As a result, the pilot lost control of the helicopter and it impacted the ground hard on the skids causing the main rotor blade to flex down and sever the tail boom. When asked how this accident could have been prevented, the pilot said, "There is very little margin for error and no time to correct with the ground so close. There is a reason why operating in the shaded area is discouraged." He also reported that there were no mechanical deficiencies. ## Factual narrative The commercial pilot was maneuvering a single-engine helicopter at a low altitude over a rice field when the tail rotor "dipped into the rice causing it to fail." As a result, he lost control of the helicopter and it impacted the ground hard on the skids causing the main rotor blade to flex down and sever the tail boom. When asked how this accident could have been prevented, the pilot said, "There is very little margin for error and no time to correct with the ground so close. There is a reason why operating in the shaded area is discouraged." He also reported that there were no mechanical deficiencies. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2330Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2330Y-2013-10-29), registration cancelled 2013-10-29, S/N 2148, built 1992 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Robinson R22 - 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: 2148 - Engines: Lycoming -320 CB reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Other work use, Part 91 - Operator: William T. Skinner - Registered owner: Southern Texas Helicopters - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: NONE, Danbury, TX - Destination: NONE, Rosharon, TX ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 34; private, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 2; flight hours: 1,400 total, 1,200 in this make and model, 100 in the last 90 days, 70 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day ## 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 20080725841679A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080725841679A), Jul 25, 2008: Robsin R22BETA, Rosharon, TX, Substantial damage. (-23) A commerical helicopter pilot, while doing cross pollination of a rice field, was maneuvering at 22 mph, at a height of 5 feet when the tail rotor of the… 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.