# NTSB SEA07LA111: Robinson R22 Beta, N971SH, Van Horn, TX, April 21, 2007 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 21, 2007, 10:00 local (15:00 UTC) - Place: Van Horn, TX - Coordinates: 31.057777, -104.783889 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.0578&lon=-104.7839&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 4 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 30, 2007 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 65621 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA07LA111 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/65621/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA07LA111 ## Probable cause (aircraft 2) Clearance was not maintained after landing by the instructor pilot, which resulted in an on ground collision with the helicopter standing near the refueling pumps. The aircraft standing in the refueling area was a factor. ## Probable cause (aircraft 1) Clearance was not maintained after landing by the pilot of the other aircraft, which resulted in an on ground collision with the helicopter standing near the refueling pumps. The aircraft standing in the refueling area was a factor. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - On ground/water collision with object, standing - engine(s) operating - object - aircraft parked/standing (contributing factor) - clearance - not maintained, pilot of other aircraft (cause) - On ground/water collision with object, standing - engine(s) operating - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command(cfi) (cause) - object - aircraft parked/standing (contributing factor) ## Analysis (aircraft 2) The flight instructor of N971SH reported that after the instructor of N991RW had repositioned his helicopter close to the refueling station, he attempted to set his helicopter down in close proximity to N991RW to allow another group of helicopters closer access to the refueling station. After setting down and lowering the collective, the instructor of N971SH felt a "repeated thump" in the controls, prompting him to raise collective and move away from N991RW. The instructor of N991RW reported that after setting down and about one minute into the cool down period, he felt a "jerk" in the controls. A subsequent inspection of both aircraft revealed damage to both of the tops of the blades of N991RW and to at least one of the blades of N971SH." ## Analysis (aircraft 1) The flight instructor of N971SH reported that after the flight instructor of N991RW had repositioned his helicopter close to the refueling station, he attempted to set his helicopter down in close proximity to N991RW to allow another group of helicopters closer access to the refueling station. After setting down and lowering the collective, the instructor of N971SH felt a "repeated thump" in the controls, prompting him to raise collective and move away from N991RW. The instructor of N991RW reported that after setting down and about one minute into the cool down period, he felt a "jerk" in the controls. A subsequent inspection of both aircraft revealed damage to both of the tops of the blades of N991RW and to at least one of the blades of N971SH." ## Factual narrative (aircraft 2) On April 21, 2007, approximately 1000 central daylight time, a Robinson R22 Beta helicopter, N971SH collided with another Robinson R22 Beta helicopter, N991RW, while standing with engines operating at the Culberson County Airport, Van Horn, Texas. As a result of the collision, N991RW sustained substantial damage to one main rotor blade. Neither flight instructor or their students were injured. Both aircraft were operated by Silver State Helicopters, of North Las Vegas, Nevada. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed for the cross-country instructional flights, which were conducted in accordance with 14 CFR Part 91. Both aircraft had departed the El Paso International Airport, El Paso, Texas, about 0830 mountain daylight time. In a written statement, the flight instructor of N971SH reported that N991RW had already landed in close proximity to the fueling pump, and with two more groups of helicopters behind him he thought he could safely set down close enough to the fuel pump so the other helicopters could all refuel without having to move them around. The instructor stated that after N991RW had repositioned aft a few yards, "...I then started to taxi forward, intending to set down off of his right side. As I approached, I saw his helicopter start to get light on the skids and I stopped, backing up as he picked up off the ground adjusting his position a little, then setting down again." After the instructor of N971SH had confirmed that N991RW was down, he taxied closer to the helicopter at a slight angle off to his right and rear. The instructor of N971SH reported, "The slight tailwind that we had did not seem [to be] a factor and I was able to control the helicopter without any difficulty, so I intended to get us fairly close. I attempted to set us down close to N991RW with just my own judgment of the distance and no one to guide me. I got us to what I thought was a safe but close distance away from N991RW and proceeded to set the helicopter down." The instructor of N971SH stated that as he lowered the collective, "...I felt a quick repeated thump in the controls, and I immediately raised collective and moved us away from N991RW, and then set down again. Upon shutdown of both the helicopters we found damage to both of the tops of the blades of N991RW and to at least one of the blades of N971SH." In a written statement, the flight instructor of N991RW reported that he set the helicopter down close to the fuel station and was told by the instructor of N971SH to move back a little so that more aircraft would fit in a semicircle around the fuel station. The instructor stated, "...after I had set the helicopter down and was about one minute into the cool down period, I felt a jerk in the controls and looked to my right and saw the rotor disk of N971SH very close to me. After cool down we inspected for damage and noticed the dents in both rotors." **This narrative was modified on August 23, 2007.** ## Factual narrative (aircraft 1) On April 21, 2007, approximately 1000 central daylight time, a Robinson R22 Beta helicopter, N971SH collided with another Robinson R22 Beta helicopter, N991RW, while standing with engines operating at the Culberson County Airport, Van Horn, Texas. As a result of the collision, N991RW sustained substantial damage to one main rotor blade. Neither flight instructor or their students were injured. Both aircraft were operated by Silver State Helicopters, of North Las Vegas, Nevada. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed for the cross-country instructional flights, which were conducted in accordance with 14 CFR Part 91. Both aircraft had departed the El Paso International Airport, El Paso, Texas, about 0830 mountain daylight time. In a written statement, the flight instructor of N971SH reported that N991RW had already landed in close proximity to the fueling pump, and with two more groups of helicopters behind him he thought he could safely set down close enough to the fuel pump so the other helicopters could all refuel without having to move them around. The instructor stated that after N991RW had repositioned aft a few yards, "...I then started to taxi forward, intending to set down off of his right side. As I approached, I saw his helicopter start to get light on the skids and I stopped, backing up as he picked up off the ground adjusting his position a little, then setting down again." After the instructor of N971SH had confirmed that N991RW was down, he taxied closer to the helicopter at a slight angle off to his right and rear. The instructor of N971SH reported, "The slight tailwind that we had did not seem [to be] a factor and I was able to control the helicopter without any difficulty, so I intended to get us fairly close. I attempted to set us down close to N991RW with just my own judgment of the distance and no one to guide me. I got us to what I thought was a safe but close distance away from N991RW and proceeded to set the helicopter down." The instructor of N971SH stated that as he lowered the collective, "...I felt a quick repeated thump in the controls, and I immediately raised collective and moved us away from N991RW, and then set down again. Upon shutdown of both the helicopters we found damage to both of the tops of the blades of N991RW and to at least one of the blades of N971SH." In a written statement, the flight instructor of N991RW reported that he set the helicopter down close to the fuel station and was told by the instructor of N971SH to move back a little so that more aircraft would fit in a semicircle around the fuel station. The instructor stated, "...after I had set the helicopter down and was about one minute into the cool down period, I felt a jerk in the controls and looked to my right and saw the rotor disk of N971SH very close to me. After cool down we inspected for damage and noticed the dents in both rotors." **This narrative was modified on August 23, 2007.** ## Aircraft 1 - Registration: N971SH (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: Robinson R22 Beta - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 3986 - Airframe hours: 1290.9 - Engines: Lycoming O-360 131 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Silver State Helicopters - Registered owner: 2 Romeo Whiskey LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: AAIP, April 1, 2007 - Departed: ELP, El Paso, TX - Destination: VHN, Van Horn, TX - Airport: VHN, Culberson County Airport ## Aircraft 2 - Registration: [N991RW](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N991RW-2009-10-13), registration cancelled 2009-10-13, S/N 3451, built 2003 (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) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-360-series) (registry code 41575, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 3451 - Airframe hours: 3397.1 - Engines: Lycoming O-360 J2A 131 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Silver State Helicopters - Registered owner: Running Water LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: AAIP, April 1, 2007 - Departed: ELP, El Paso, TX - Destination: VHN, Van Horn, TX - Airport: VHN, Culberson County Airport ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Flight instructor, aircraft N971SH; age 26; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review April 1, 2006; seat: left; flight hours: 885 total, 859 in this make and model, 798 as pilot in command, 122 in the last 90 days, 70 in the last 30 days, 10 in the last 24 hours - Student pilot, aircraft N971SH; age 30; injuries: none; private; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review February 1, 2007; seat: right; flight hours: 100 total, 100 in this make and model, 32 in the last 90 days - Flight instructor, aircraft N991RW; age 29; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review January 1, 2007; seat: left; flight hours: 244 total, 197 in this make and model, 244 as pilot in command, 43 in the last 90 days, 43 in the last 30 days, 11 in the last 24 hours - Student pilot, aircraft N991RW; age 47; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review April 1, 2005; seat: right; flight hours: 74 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 160° at 11 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 18 °F - Altimeter: 29.85 inHg - Observed at: ELP, 83 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 20070421005589A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20070421005589A), Apr 21, 2007: Robsin R22BETA, Van Horn, TX, Substantial damage. (-23) On April 21, 2007 at 1000 hours MDT, a Robinson R22 helicopter, N971SH registered to 2 romeo whiskey LLC, po box 570217, las vegas, Nevada, collided its… 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.