# NTSB FTW02LA080: Robinson R-22A, N8557Z, Encino, TX, February 11, 2002 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: February 11, 2002, 08:00 local (14:00 UTC) - Place: Encino, TX - Coordinates: 26.689167, -98.135559 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.6892&lon=-98.1356&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 25, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 54187 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW02LA080 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/54187/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=54187 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW02LA080 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during lift off from a transport trailer resulting in dynamic rollover of the helicopter. ## Analysis During lift off from a transport trailer, the helicopter's left main landing skid came in contact with a post on the transport trailer which resulted in the dynamic rollover of the helicopter. During the rollover, the main rotor blades contacted the ground, and the helicopter came to rest on it's left side. ## Factual narrative On February 11, 2002, at 0800 central standard time, a Robinson R-22A helicopter, N8557Z, was substantially damaged following a loss of control during takeoff from a transport trailer near a staging area 10 miles south of Encino, Texas. The helicopter was registered to Weslaco Dodge Truck Center, Inc., of Weslaco, Texas, and operated by the Payne McBride Cattle Company, dba Rio Grande Helicopters of Mission, Texas. The commercial pilot, sole occupant, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 cattle herding flight. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. The pilot reported in the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2), that during lift off from the transport trailer, "the top of the helicopter pitched to the left, and the left main landing skid remained nose low." The pilot stated that the left main landing skid came in contact with the left guide rail post on the transport trailer which "increase[ed] the helicopters tilt to the left." Subsequently, "dynamic rollover occurred causing the main rotor blades and the left side of the cabin to impact the ground." The pilot further reported that he saw a helicopter less than 100 feet behind him moving from right to left during his attempted liftoff from the trailer. An examination of the helicopter, by the FAA inspector who responded to the accident site, revealed that the left landing skid was fractured, both the main rotor and tail rotor blades were damaged, the tail boom and airframe were bent, and the left ground handling tab was curled outward. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Roll over, takeoff - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - dynamic rollover - inadvertent, pilot in command ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8557Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8557Z-2017-03-24), registration cancelled 2017-03-24, S/N 0464, built 1985 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Robinson R-22A - Registry model: [Robinson Helicopter R22 ALPHA](https://openairdocs.org/model/robinson-helicopter-r22-alpha) (registry code 7640104) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 0464 - Airframe hours: 4644.1 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-B2C 124 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Other work use, Part 91 - Operator: Payne Mcbride Cattle Company, doing business as Rio Grande Helicopters - Registered owner: Weslaco Dodge Truck Center, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, February 27, 2001, 89.7 hours before - Departed: Encino, TX ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 51; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review June 30, 2001; seat: right; flight hours: 4,678 total, 1,600 in this make and model, 4,506 as pilot in command, 88 in the last 90 days, 34 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 350° at 5 knots - Visibility: 5 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 46 °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 20020211000949A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20020211000949A), Feb 11, 2002: Robsin R22ALPHA, Encino, TX, No damage. (.19) On February 11, 2002, at 0800 central standard time, a Robinson R-22A helicopter, N8557Z, was substantially damaged during takeoff from a staging area 10… ## Other investigations on N8557Z (1) From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. - [NTSB LAX90LA204](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX90LA204), May 30, 1990: Robinson R22A (N8557Z), Torrance, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: THIS ACCIDENT WAS A DYNAMIC ROLL OVER DUE TO THE RIGHT SKID ENCOUNTERING SOFT SOIL DURING THE FORCED LANDING. ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 7, 2003, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=54187. 5.5 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 2.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40387338&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Pilot Interview (item 2, .PDF, 23 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40182944&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20Interview-Master.PDF - Photos of Helicopter (Provided by Insurance Adjuster) (item 3, .PDF, 3.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40182945&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photos%20of%20Helicopter%20(Provided%20by%20Insurance%20Adjuster)-Master.PDF From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date; 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.