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Location:
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Mentone, Texas
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Accident Number:
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CEN21FA410
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|
Date & Time:
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September 10, 2021, 09:30 Local
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Registration:
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N292DD
|
|
Aircraft:
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ROBINSON HELICOPTER R22 BETA
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Aircraft Damage:
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Substantial
|
|
Defining Event:
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Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT)
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Injuries:
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1 Fatal
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Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Aerial observation
Factual Information
On September 10, 2021, about 0930 central daylight time, a Robinson Helicopter R22 Beta, N292DD, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Mentone, Texas. The pilot was fatally injured. The helicopter was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 aerial observation flight.
The flight was operated for the purpose of gathering cattle. GPS position data revealed that the flight departed a local staging area about 0749. The pilot proceeded about 3 miles east and, beginning about 0752, completed multiple passes in an approximate 3-mile by 3-mile area.
Ground support personnel observed the helicopter six times between 0800 and 0840. About 0859, the pilot transitioned to an area about 2 miles north of the initial area and completed multiple passes. The final GPS data point was recorded at 0926:37 about 1/2-mile north of the accident site. Due to data buffering in the GPS device, the final portion of the flight was not recorded.
The wreckage was discovered about 1557 and local authorities were contacted. There were no known witnesses to the accident. The helicopter wreckage was located about 50 ft from a set of power lines in an area of low brush. The powerline support poles extended to about 50 ft above ground level (agl); the transmission lines were about 45 ft agl. One power transmission line was separated and draped over the intact lines.
The helicopter sustained damage to the fuselage, tail boom, and main rotor blades. The fuselage nose exhibited localized discoloration consistent with electrical arcing damage. Repetitive linear marks consistent with powerline contact were present aft of the arcing damage. The aft portion of the tail boom, including the tail rotor assembly, was separated and located near the main wreckage. Fragments of the tail boom in the area of the separation exhibited scuffing marks consistent with contact with a main rotor blade. Both main rotor and both tail rotor blades were damaged but remained secured to their respective hubs.
Postaccident airframe and engine examinations did not identify any anomalies consistent with a preimpact failure or malfunction.
Pilot Information
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Certificate:
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Commercial; Flight instructor
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Age:
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40,Male
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Airplane Rating(s):
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None
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Seat Occupied:
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Right
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|
Other Aircraft Rating(s):
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Helicopter
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Restraint Used:
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3-point
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|
Instrument Rating(s):
|
Helicopter
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Second Pilot Present:
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No
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Instructor Rating(s):
|
Helicopter
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Toxicology Performed:
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Yes
|
|
Medical Certification:
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Class 2 Without waivers/limitations
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Last FAA Medical Exam:
|
December 23, 2020
|
|
Occupational Pilot:
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Yes
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Last Flight Review or Equivalent:
|
|
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Flight Time:
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225 hours (Total, all aircraft)
|
|
|
Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information
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Aircraft Make:
|
ROBINSON HELICOPTER
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Registration:
|
N292DD
|
|
Model/Series:
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R22 BETA
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Aircraft Category:
|
Helicopter
|
|
Year of Manufacture:
|
2002
|
Amateur Built:
|
|
|
Airworthiness Certificate:
|
Normal
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Serial Number:
|
3396
|
|
Landing Gear Type:
|
Skid
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Seats:
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2
|
|
Date/Type of Last Inspection:
|
June 25, 2021 100 hour
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Certified Max Gross Wt.:
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1370 lbs
|
|
Time Since Last Inspection:
|
80 Hrs
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Engines:
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1 Reciprocating
|
|
Airframe Total Time:
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5130 Hrs at time of accident
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Engine Manufacturer:
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Lycoming
|
|
ELT:
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Not installed
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Engine Model/Series:
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O-360-J2A
|
|
Registered Owner:
|
|
Rated Power:
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145 Horsepower
|
|
Operator:
|
|
Operating Certificate(s) Held:
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None
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Meteorological Information and Flight Plan
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Conditions at Accident Site:
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Visual (VMC)
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Condition of Light:
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Day
|
|
Observation Facility, Elevation:
|
KINK,2807 ft msl
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Distance from Accident Site:
|
16 Nautical Miles
|
|
Observation Time:
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08:53 Local
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Direction from Accident Site:
|
107°
|
|
Lowest Cloud Condition:
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Clear
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Visibility
|
10 miles
|
|
Lowest Ceiling:
|
None
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Visibility (RVR):
|
|
|
Wind Speed/Gusts:
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9 knots /
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Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual:
|
/
|
|
Wind Direction:
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160°
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Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual:
|
/
|
|
Altimeter Setting:
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30.14 inches Hg
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Temperature/Dew Point:
|
21°C / 11°C
|
|
Precipitation and Obscuration:
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No Obscuration; No Precipitation
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|
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Departure Point:
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Sterling City, TX (PVT)
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Type of Flight Plan Filed:
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None
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Destination:
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Mentone, TX
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Type of Clearance:
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None
|
|
Departure Time:
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07:50 Local
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Type of Airspace:
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Class G
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Wreckage and Impact Information
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Crew Injuries:
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1 Fatal
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Aircraft Damage:
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Substantial
|
|
Passenger Injuries:
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N/A
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Aircraft Fire:
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None
|
|
Ground Injuries:
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N/A
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Aircraft Explosion:
|
None
|
|
Total Injuries:
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1 Fatal
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Latitude, Longitude:
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31.855628,-103.49411
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Administrative Information
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Investigator In Charge (IIC):
|
Sorensen, Timothy
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|
Additional Participating
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Robert Smith; FAA; Lubbock, TX
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|
Persons:
|
|
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Report Date:
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June 23, 2022
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Note:
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|
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Investigation Docket:
|
https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=103836
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