Robinson R22 near Midland, TX — 2009-03-10

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance from a pole.

NTSB narrative

A local rancher contacted the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) Flight Standards District Office (FSDO) and said there was a 2-year-old wrecked helicopter on his property, and he wanted permission to dispose of it. Unaware of such an accident, an FAA inspector went to the site and confirmed that an accident had occurred but had never been reported. He said that it appeared the helicopter had either been taking off or landing between two buildings when the main rotor blades struck a post. The uninjured pilot reportedly extricated himself and walked away. An examination of the helicopter revealed severed main rotor blades and a fractured and buckled transmission mast. The tail boom was severed just forward of the tail rotor, and separated at the engine cowling. The pilot's name does not appear in FAA's pilot database.

Analysis

Primary failure mode

Human factors

First missed decision gate

Pilot should not have attempted flight without certification.

NTSB coding

• Collision during takeoff/land · Unknown
• Attention / Monitoring
• Experience / Qualifications

Evidence available

• Photos
• 3 docket documents

Docket documents3

• Additional Notesother
• Map of Accident Areaother
• The helicopter wreckage photos.photos