# NTSB FTW01LA076: Robinson R22, N4009W, Alvarado, TX, March 10, 2001 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 10, 2001, 10:00 local (16:00 UTC) - Place: Alvarado, TX - Coordinates: 32.409347, -97.209373 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.4093&lon=-97.2094&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 30, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration (FSDO) - NTSB case key (mKey): 51898 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW01LA076 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/51898/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW01LA076 ## Probable cause the pilot's failure to maintain clearance with a marked static wire. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, hover - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - object - wire,static(marked) (cause) - precautionary landing - performed, pilot in command ## Analysis According to the pilot, he flew to an area on his property where he and his passenger planned to test some equipment. The equipment was not related to the helicopter. He stated that the helicopter was in a 2-foot hover beneath a marked static wire that was 30 feet agl. He noticed that the wire began coming closer to the helicopter and initiated a descent; however, the wire continued to descend with the helicopter. Subsequently, the wire contacted the main rotor blades, and the helicopter landed without further incident. The damage to the main rotor blades required their replacement. ## Factual narrative On March 10, 2001, at 1000 central standard time, a Robinson R22 helicopter, N4009W, was substantially damaged when the main rotor blades struck a static wire while hovering near Alvarado, Texas. The private pilot, who was the registered owner of the helicopter, and his passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The local flight originated from the operator's private helipad near Alvarado, Texas, at 0915. According to the pilot, he flew to an area on his property where he and his passenger planned to test some equipment. The equipment was not related to the helicopter. He stated that the helicopter was in a 2-foot hover beneath a marked static wire that was 30 feet agl. He noticed that the wire began coming closer to the helicopter and initiated a descent; however, the wire continued to descend with the helicopter. Subsequently, the wire contacted the main rotor blades and the helicopter landed without further incident. The FAA inspector, who examined the helicopter, reported that one main rotor blade had a 3 inch gouge that was 5 feet 2 inches inboard from the blade tip. He stated that the second blade sustained minor damage. According to the owner, the blades required replacement. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4009W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4009W-2013-09-24), registration cancelled 2013-09-24, S/N 1381, built 1960 (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: 1381 - Airframe hours: 2600 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-B2C 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: David W. Smith - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, February 22, 2001, 89 hours before - Departed: NONE, Alvarado, TX ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 41; injuries: none; private; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review April 9, 2000; seat: right; flight hours: 1,100 total, 900 in this make and model, 25 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 150° at 14 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 41 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: GKY, 17 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 20010310006139A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20010310006139A), Mar 10, 2001: Robsin R22BETA, Alvardo, TX, No damage. (-23) Mr. David w. smith who resides at [privacy data omitted] is the owner of a/c N4009W. [privacy data omitted] . While hovering low over the ground during a… ## Other investigations on N4009W (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 ATL02LA011](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL02LA011), Nov 9, 2001: Robinson R-22 (N4009W), Bunnell, FL, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot-in-commands (CFI) failure to follow procedures and directives (positive relinquish of flight controls from a dual student and improper flare (too high) during an autorotation) which… 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.