# NTSB FTW03LA168: Robinson R-22 Beta, N854WT, Encinal, TX, June 8, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 8, 2003, 11:00 local (16:00 UTC) - Place: Encinal, TX - Coordinates: 28.086944, -99.569168 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.0869&lon=-99.5692&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 30, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 57177 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW03LA168 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/57177/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW03LA168 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a tree. A contributing factor was the pilot's diverted attention. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, hover - object - tree(s) - diverted attention, pilot in command (contributing factor) - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis During a cattle herding flight, the pilot's attention was diverted by a bull running towards the helicopter. The pilot was trying to herd the bull through a gate, and was able to stop the bull while he was hovering about 5-10 feet agl. The pilot further reported that the bull suddenly started to run underneath the helicopter and he "pulled out of the way to avoid the bull." Subsequently, he "felt the helicopter contact some brush" and executed a 180-degree pedal turn when he "felt the helicopter begin to vibrate." The pilot then executed an auto rotational landing. ## Factual narrative On June 8, 2003, at 1100 central daylight time, a Robinson R-22 Beta helicopter, N854WT, was substantially damaged when it collided with a tree while maneuvering near Encinal, Texas. The commercial pilot, who was the sole occupant of the helicopter, was not injured. The helicopter, registered to and operated by Smith Helicopters, Inc., of Laredo, Texas, was operating under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan was not filed for the cattle herding flight. The flight originated from a local staging area, approximately 0930. The 1,500-hour pilot reported in the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2), that after gathering and penning cows for an hour and a half, he spotted a bull not far from the cattle pens. He was trying to herd the bull through a gate, and was able to stop the bull while hovering about 5-10 feet agl. The pilot further reported that the bull suddenly started to run underneath the helicopter and he "pulled out of the way to avoid the bull." Subsequently, he "felt the helicopter contact some brush" and executed a 180-degree pedal turn when he "felt the helicopter begin to vibrate." He then executed an auto rotational landing. Examination of the helicopter by an FAA inspector, who responded to the accident site, revealed that the aft section of the tail boom was separated, the tail rotor blades were damaged, and the tail rotor drive shaft was severed. ## 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 R-22 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 - Engines: Lycoming O-360 131 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Other work use, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: Encinal, TX ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 30; injuries: none; commercial; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review March 27, 2003; seat: right; flight hours: 1,500 total, 1,330 in this make and model, 1,415 as pilot in command, 150 in the last 90 days, 50 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 0° at 0 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 72 °F - Altimeter: 29.88 inHg ## 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 20030608021569A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030608021569A), Jun 8, 2003: Robsin R22BETA, Encinal, TX, Substantial damage. (-23) The aircraft struck a tree with the tail rotor, the tail rotor and aft boom separated from the aircraft. The aircraft landed without further incident. ## 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 DFW07LA088](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW07LA088), Mar 25, 2007: Robinson R22 Beta (N854WT), Laredo, TX, substantial damage. Probable cause: The loss of engine power for undetermined reason. A contributing factor was the lack of suitable terrain for the forced 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.