# NTSB WPR14CA216: Robinson Helicopter R22 Beta, N7122E, San Manuel, AZ, May 31, 2014 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 31, 2014, 10:30 local (17:30 UTC) - Place: San Manuel, AZ - Coordinates: 32.625, -110.563888 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.6250&lon=-110.5639&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: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 24, 2014 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 89321 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR14CA216 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/89321/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89321 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR14CA216 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain an adequate obstacle clearance altitude from phone wires while performing low-level operations. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md) - [Perception/orientation/illusion: situational awareness](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02022035): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [All aircraft, 111 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02022035/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: wire](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [All aircraft, 588 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/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: [All aircraft, 780 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md) - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) - [Uncontrolled descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot stated that the purpose of the flight was to conduct low-level aerial operations for cattle herding. The pilot maneuvered the helicopter in an effort to keep the cattle close together and did not notice a phone line in the helicopter's flight path. The main rotor blades contacted the lines and they became entangled in the main rotor head. The helicopter descended from approximately 15 feet above ground level and impacted the terrain hard, collapsing the skids. As a result of the impact, the helicopter sustained substantial damage to both the tail and main rotor blades. The pilot reported no pre impact mechanical malfunctions or failure with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot stated that the purpose of the flight was to conduct low-level aerial operations for cattle herding. The pilot maneuvered the helicopter in an effort to keep the cattle close together and did not notice a phone line in the helicopter's flight path. The main rotor blades contacted the lines and they became entangled in the main rotor head. The helicopter descended from approximately 15 feet above ground level and impacted the terrain hard, collapsing the skids. As a result of the impact, the helicopter sustained substantial damage to both the tail and main rotor blades. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failure with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: N7122E (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: ROBINSON HELICOPTER R22 BETA (BETA) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 2909 - Year built: 1999 - Airframe hours: 1928 - Engines: LYCOMING O-360-J2A 260 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial observation, Part 91 - Operator: Mastopietro Kurt I, doing business as KMB Helicopters LLC - Registered owner: Mastopietro Kurt I - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, December 2, 2013 - Departed: SAN MANUEL, AZ - Destination: SAN MANUEL, AZ ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 61; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, unknown; last flight review July 7, 2013; seat: right; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 5,058 total, 4,085 in this make and model, 4,878 as pilot in command, 66 in the last 90 days, 43 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Lowest ceiling: none - Observed at: KDMA, 32 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 20140531007139A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20140531007139A), May 31, 2014: Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA, San Manuel, AZ, Substantial damage. The helicopter pilot, who is [privacy data omitted], stated that he was herding cattle on a ranch at an altitude of 10 to 15 feet above the ground. He turned… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 2, 2014, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89321. 1.5 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 260 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40415904&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Photo 1 - Aircraft Damage (item 2, .PDF, 1.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40415905&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20-%20Aircraft%20Damage-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. --- 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.