# NTSB FTW04LA060: Robinson R-22 Beta, N7061V, Encino, TX, January 12, 2004 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: January 12, 2004, 09:15 local (15:15 UTC) - Place: Encino, TX - Coordinates: 26.75, -98.166664 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.7500&lon=-98.1667&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 2, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration-SW17 - NTSB case key (mKey): 58604 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW04LA060 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/58604/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=58604 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW04LA060 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a tree while hovering. ## 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 - object - tree(s) - Roll over, emergency landing ## Analysis While maneuvering at low altitude during a cattle-herding operation, the helicopter's tail rotor contacted a tree. After impact, "the helicopter yawed," and the pilot initiated an autorotation. During the autorotation, the helicopter impacted a stand of trees and brush, and subsequently, came to rest on its left side. ## Factual narrative On January 12, 2004, approximately 0915 central standard time, a Robinson R-22 Beta single-engine helicopter, N7061V, sustained substantial damage during a forced landing following an in-flight collision with a tree while maneuvering near Encino, Texas. The commercial pilot, who was the sole occupant, was not injured. The helicopter was registered and operated by Mesquite Helicopter Services, Inc., of Alice, Texas, and operated by the pilot. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 business flight. According to the 6,750-hour pilot, the helicopter departed a private ranch, about 0730, for the purpose of herding cattle. While hovering at a low altitude, the tail rotor contacted a tree. Due to the loss of the tail rotor system, the helicopter yawed, and the pilot initiated an autorotation. During the autorotation, the helicopter impacted a stand of trees and brush, and subsequently, came to rest on its left side. According to the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2) Recommendation (How Could This Accident Have Been Prevented) section, the pilot reported, "Higher level of flight near obstructions." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7061V](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7061V-2006-03-23), registration cancelled 2006-03-23, S/N 2917, built 1999 (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: 2917 - Airframe hours: 3165.7 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-J2A 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Business, Part 91 - Registered owner: Mesquite Helicopter Services, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, November 16, 2003, 77.6 hours before - Departed: Encino, TX ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 34; injuries: none; military, commercial, flight instructor; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review January 30, 2002; seat: right; flight hours: 6,754 as pilot in command, 274 in the last 90 days, 47 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 100° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 52 °F - Altimeter: 30.31 inHg - Observed at: BKS ## 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 20040112005599A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040112005599A), Jan 12, 2004: Robsin R22BETA, Encino, TX, Substantial damage. (-23) The helicopter was attempting to herd cattle, the pilot became focused on the cattle, and inadvertently struck the tail rotor into a nearby tree… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 29, 2004, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=58604. 2.4 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 2.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40439346&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF 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.