Pilot Debrief

ROBINSON HELICOPTER COMPANY R22 near Pettus, TX — 2010-08-08

Final reportCEN10CA466
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Date
2010-08-08
Location
Pettus, TX, USA
Aircraft
ROBINSON HELICOPTER COMPANY R22
Registration
N792SH
Category
Helicopter
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

The pilot's decision to exit the helicopter with the engine running.

NTSB narrative

The pilot herded cattle into a cattle trap and landed to close and adjust some gates, with the intent to take off again. The pilot left the engine running and exited the helicopter. While the pilot was outside the helicopter several cattle were startled. One of the startled cattle jumped a fence and came into contact with the main rotor, which caused the helicopter to bounce and shake violently. A number of other cattle broke free from the pen and at least one contacted the helicopter, causing it to become airborne for a short period of time before impacting the ground in a nose-low attitude. The tail boom and main rotor mast were both partially separated from the fuselage.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 2 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents2

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