# NTSB WPR09CA163: Robinson Helicopter R22 Beta, N139RJ, Chowchilla, CA, March 24, 2009 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: March 24, 2009, 06:39 local (13:39 UTC) - Place: Chowchilla, CA - Coordinates: 37.125831, -120.203613 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.1258&lon=-120.2036&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report June 11, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 73545 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR09CA163 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/73545/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=73545 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR09CA163 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the power lines. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Object/animal/substance: wire](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Response/compensation (probable cause); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md?model=7640110), [All aircraft, 588 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md) - [Attention/monitoring: monitoring environment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md?model=7640110), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/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: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220) (defining event); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA, 12 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md?model=7640110), [All aircraft, 780 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of the helicopter was flying over an agricultural field at dawn performing frost control. He flew three passes over the field at a low altitude in order to distribute warm air onto the crops. During the passes, he observed power lines in the vicinity. On the fourth pass he descended to about 50 feet agl and lost sight of the power lines. Concerned that he may collide with them, he began to turn right. Halfway through the turn the main rotor blades struck the power lines. The helicopter descended to the ground, sustaining substantial damage to the fuselage and rotor system. The pilot said that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures. ## Factual narrative The pilot of the helicopter was flying over an agricultural field at dawn performing frost control. He flew three passes over the field at a low altitude in order to distribute warm air onto the crops. During the passes, he observed power lines in the vicinity. On the fourth pass he descended to about 50 feet agl and lost sight of the power lines. Concerned that he may collide with them, he began to turn right. Halfway through the turn the main rotor blades stuck the power lines. The helicopter descended to the ground, sustaining substantial damage to the fuselage and rotor system. The pilot said there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N139RJ](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N139RJ-2018-02-12), registration cancelled 2018-02-12, S/N 1683, built 1991 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: ROBINSON HELICOPTER R22 BETA - Registry model: [Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA](https://openairdocs.org/model/robinson-helicopter-r22-beta) (registry code 7640110) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 1683 - Airframe hours: 8177 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Other work use, Part 91 - Operator: American Helicopters - Registered owner: Premier Helicopter LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 2, 2008, 30 hours before - Departed: FCH, Fresno, CA - Destination: Chowchilla, CA - Airport: 2O6, Chowchilla ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 32; injuries: serious; flight instructor, commercial; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review June 28, 2008; seat: right; flight hours: 1,237 total, 1,019 in this make and model, 1,188 as pilot in command, 106 in the last 90 days, 49 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dawn - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 37 °F, dew point 34 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: MAE, 10 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 20090324003159A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20090324003159A), Mar 24, 2009: Robsin R22, Chowchilla, CA, Substantial damage. (-23) While conducting frost control operation, the aircraft struck a high tension power line with its main rotor. The pilot stated that he conducted a prior… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 22, 2009, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=73545. 596 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 596 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40312032&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.