# NTSB GAA15CA154: Robinson Helicopter R22 Beta, N842SH, Eagle Lake, TX, June 25, 2015

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: June 25, 2015, 12:25 local (17:25 UTC)
- Place: Eagle Lake, TX
- Coordinates: 29.61861, -96.410835 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.6186&lon=-96.4108&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Abrupt maneuver](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/270)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 12, 2015
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents
- Parties: FAA Houston FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 91479
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA15CA154
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/91479/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91479
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA15CA154

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to secure the iPad during flight, resulting in an inadvertent cyclic input, and collision with terrain.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Action: lack of action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA, 16 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030/cases.md?model=7640110), [All aircraft, 792 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030/cases.md)
- [Use of equip/info: use of equip/system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA, 16 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md?model=7640110), [All aircraft, 1,391 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md)
- [Performance/control parameters: pitch control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022/cases.md?model=7640110), [All aircraft, 526 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022/cases.md)
- [Attention/monitoring: task monitoring/vigilance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021520): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot; cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021520/cases.md?model=7640110), [All aircraft, 330 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021520/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA, 17 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=7640110), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md)
- [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Abrupt maneuver](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/270) (defining event); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/270/sequence.md?model=7640110), [All aircraft, 346 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/270/sequence.md)
- [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA, 67 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=7640110), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md)
- [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA, 85 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7640110), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that that during a low-level agricultural flight, his iPad was not secured on his lap, and it slid off onto the collective. He reported that while he was retrieving the iPad, he inadvertently applied forward cyclic, the helicopter impacted terrain, and sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and tail boom. The pilot reported no pre-impact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation.

## Factual narrative

The pilot reported that that during a low-level agricultural flight, his iPad was not secured on his lap, and it slid off onto the collective. He reported that while he was retrieving the iPad, he inadvertently applied forward cyclic, the helicopter impacted terrain, and sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and tail boom. The pilot reported no pre-impact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N842SH](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N842SH), registered now, S/N 3819, built 2005 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ROBINSON HELICOPTER R22 BETA (BETA)
- Registry model: [Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA](https://openairdocs.org/model/robinson-helicopter-r22-beta) (registry code 7640110) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-360-series) (registry code 41575, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 3819
- Year built: 2005
- Airframe hours: 4662.4
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-J2A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Other work use, Part 91
- Operator: Silver Star Helicopters LLC, doing business as Silver Star Helicopters LLC
- Registered owner: Silver Star Helicopters LLC
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, January 16, 2015
- Departed: ELA, EAGLE LAKE, TX
- Destination: ELA, EAGLE LAKE, TX
- Equipment: Handheld GPS

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 52; injuries: none; commercial; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review October 9, 2013; seat: right; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 3,250 total, 1,650 in this make and model, 3,200 as pilot in command, 3,150 in the last 90 days, 3,225 in the last 30 days, 3,250 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 210° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 4,200 ft broken
- Temperature: 86 °F, dew point 73 °F
- Altimeter: 30.12 inHg
- Observed at: KTME, 29 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 20150625010029A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20150625010029A), Jun 25, 2015: Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA, Eagle Lake, TX, Destroyed. The aircraft was in a low hover polinating a rice field. It was approximately 15 inches above the rice plants. The aircraft entered a nose down attitude…

## Docket (3 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 11, 2015, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91479. 1.0 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 444 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40430606&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF
- Record of Conversation (Pilot) (item 2, .PDF, 67 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40430607&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20(Pilot)-Master.PDF
- Photo 1 - Fuselage and Tail Boom (Photo Courtesy of FAA) (item 3, .PDF, 495 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40430608&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20-%20Fuselage%20and%20Tail%20Boom%20(Photo%20Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.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.

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