# NTSB FTW98LA163: Robinson R22 Beta, N2628B, Riviera, TX, March 31, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 31, 1998, 12:30 local (18:30 UTC) - Place: Riviera, TX - Coordinates: 27.279575, -97.809158 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.2796&lon=-97.8092&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 8, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 20564 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW98LA163 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20564/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW98LA163 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain terrain clearance while performing an evasive maneuver to avoid a charging bull, resulting in a tail rotor blade strike and the failure of the tail rotor drive shaft. Factors were the charging bull and the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, hover - object - animal(s) (contributing factor) - evasive maneuver - performed, pilot in command - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - rotor system,tail rotor - blade strike (cause) - rotor drive system,tail rotor drive shaft - failure,total (cause) - tail rotor/anti-torque control - not possible, pilot in command - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - autorotation - performed, pilot in command - Roll over, emergency landing - terrain condition - water - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor) ## Analysis The pilot was using the helicopter to herd cattle and was attempting to move a bull towards a corral when the animal charged the helicopter. As the pilot maneuvered to avoid the bull, the helicopter's tail rotor contacted the water in a stock tank (pond), resulting in failure of the tail rotor drive shaft. The pilot performed an autorotation. The helicopter spun twice to the right, touched down in a level attitude in the stock tank, and rolled onto its right side. ## Factual narrative On March 31, 1998, at 1230 central standard time, a Robinson R22 Beta helicopter, N2628B, registered to and operated by Mesquite Helicopter Services, Inc., of Alice, Texas, was substantially damaged during a forced landing following a tail rotor ground strike while hovering near Riviera, Texas. The commercial pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. No flight plan was filed and visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the Title 14 CFR Part 91 local business flight. The pilot reported that he was using the helicopter to herd cattle. With the helicopter "at an altitude of 3-5 feet AGL," he was attempting to move a bull towards a corral when the animal charged the helicopter. As the pilot maneuvered to avoid the bull, the helicopter's tail rotor contacted the water in a stock tank (pond), resulting in failure of the tail rotor drive shaft. The pilot performed an autorotation. The helicopter "spun twice" to the right, touched down in a level attitude in the stock tank, and rolled onto its right side. According to the pilot, the helicopter "came to rest on its right side in about 2 1/2 feet of water." He reported that the fuselage was dented, the main rotors were "severely bent," and the tail cone was "chopped." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2628B](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2628B-2001-05-22), registration cancelled 2001-05-22, S/N 0771 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Robinson R22 BETA - Registry model: [Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA](https://openairdocs.org/model/robinson-helicopter-r22-beta) (registry code 7640110) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 0771 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-B2C 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Other work use, Part 91 - Registered owner: Mesquite Helicopter Services - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 40; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 12,000 total, 2,000 in this make and model, 11,500 as pilot in command, 150 in the last 90 days, 40 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 130° at 15 knots, gusting 20 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 70 °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 19980331004859A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980331004859A), Mar 31, 1998: Robsin R22BETA, Riviera, TX, Substantial damage. Tail rotor struck ground while herding cattle. Helicopter then rolled over.(.4) the pilot was using the helicopter to herd cattle and was attempting to move a… ## Other investigations on N2628B (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 MIA89LA001](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA89LA001), Oct 1, 1988: Robinson R22 (N2628B), Orlando, FL, substantial damage 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.