# NTSB WPR14LA356: Robinson Helicopter R22 Beta, N4187W, Gardnerville, NV, August 27, 2014 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 27, 2014, 12:30 local (19:30 UTC) - Place: Gardnerville, NV - Coordinates: 38.750953, -119.609176 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.7510&lon=-119.6092&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor - Status: Completed, report August 11, 2015 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 89970 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR14LA356 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/89970/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89970 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR14LA356 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to monitor the environment and to maintain clearance from wires during takeoff. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [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) - [Object/animal/substance: wire](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Awareness of condition (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) - [Info processing/decision: identification/recognition](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510/cases.md?model=7640110), [All aircraft, 559 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA, 25 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=7640110), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: 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) - [Takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); 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) - [Uncontrolled descent: 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, shortly after the helicopter took off from a riverbank, he felt a tug on the airframe, followed by a "big bang." The pilot was unable to maintain control of the helicopter as it began rotating to the right. The helicopter subsequently impacted the ground, rolled over, and came to rest upright. A postaccident examination of the accident site revealed that the helicopter had struck four small cables that had been attached to a pulley system that was strung across the river. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative On August 27, 2014, about 1230 Pacific daylight time, a Robinson Helicopter R22 Beta, N4187W, was substantially damaged following a collision with wires during initial climb, which resulted in a loss of control and impact with terrain about 5 nautical miles south of Gardnerville, Nevada. The private pilot sustained minor injures, and the sole passenger received serious injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local personal flight, which was being operated in accordance with 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91, and a flight plan was not filed. The flight was originating at the time of the accident, with the destination being the pilot's residence near Gardnerville. In a statement submitted to the National Transportation Safety Board investigator-in-charge (IIC), the pilot reported that during his initial departure from a river bank, about 100 yards off shore he felt a tug on the airframe, which he later discovered was a wire strike, followed by a "big bang" behind him. The pilot stated that the helicopter then began to quickly rotate to the right and out of control, and subsequently impacted the ground. The pilot added that he thought the helicopter might have rolled over once or twice before coming to rest upright in a clear area with shrubs and weeds. The pilot reported no anomalies with the helicopter prior to or during the flight that would have precluded normal operation. A Federal Aviation Administration aviation safety inspector reported to the IIC, that after he surveyed the accident site it was revealed that the helicopter had struck 4 small cables attached to a pulley system that was strung across the river, which resulted in the pilot losing control of the helicopter, followed by the uncontrolled descent and impact with terrain. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4187W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4187W-2016-02-08), registration cancelled 2016-02-08, S/N 4399, built 2008 (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-J2A](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-360-j2a) (registry code 42314, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 4399 - Year built: 2008 - Airframe hours: 490 - Engines: LYCOMING O-360-J2A 145 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, June 21, 2013, 62 hours before - Departed: NA, Gardnerville, NV - Destination: NA, Gardnerville, NV - Equipment: Electronic multifunction display ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 73; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review April 30, 2009; seat: right; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 2,000 total, 1,300 in this make and model, 1,900 as pilot in command, 25 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 320° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 34 °F - Altimeter: 30.25 inHg - Observed at: MEV, 11 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 20140827016299A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20140827016299A), Aug 27, 2014: Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA, Gardnerville, NV, Substantial damage. Pilot stated that during take-off at an altitude of 20 feet AGL, he heard a loud bang in the tail rotor area then he began to spin to the right then rolled… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 16, 2015, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89970. 10.5 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 9.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40427929&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Weather Data (item 2, .PDF, 187 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40427930&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Data-Master.PDF - Release of Aircraft Wreckage, NTSB Form 6120.15 (item 3, .PDF, 731 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40427931&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Release%20of%20Aircraft%20Wreckage,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.15-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.