Pilot Debrief

ROBINSON HELICOPTER R22 BETA near Electra, TX — 2017-11-20

Final reportCEN18FA035
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Date
2017-11-20
Location
Electra, TX, USA
Aircraft
ROBINSON HELICOPTER R22 BETA
Registration
N4179M
Category
Helicopter
Highest injury
Fatal
Fatalities
1
Phase of flight
Maneuvering

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from powerlines while maneuvering at low altitude.

NTSB narrative

The commercial pilot was flying his company's helicopter during a low-altitude cattle herding flight. A witness saw the helicopter maneuvering over power lines; it subsequently descended in a nose-low attitude to ground contact and was consumed by postcrash fire. Both the power lines above the helicopter wreckage and the helicopter itself exhibited damage consistent with in-flight contact with the lines. An onscene examination of the wreckage did not reveal any preimpact anomalies that would have precluded normal operation of the helicopter.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Loss of control
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have avoided low-level maneuvers over powerlines.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Photos
  • 8 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents8

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