Robinson R22 BETA N7181S

Summary

On 15 February 2015 at about 16:30 local time, a Robinson R22 BETA registered N7181S, operated by Southwest Texas Helicopters, Inc, was involved in an accident near Asherton, Texas, United States. One person was on board and one had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

15 February 2015 at 16:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Asherton, Texas, United States

Coordinates

28.5594, -99.4100

Aircraft

Robinson R22 BETA

Registration

N7181S

Category

Helicopter

Year built

1999

Engines

1

Operator

Southwest Texas Helicopters, Inc

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Other Work Use

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Asherton → Asherton

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CEN15CA153

1 person had minor injuries.

The pilot did not maintain adequate clearance from the trees.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

According to the pilot, he was herding cattle with the helicopter. He descended to an altitude of about 10 feet to get the cattle to turn and enter a pen. After the cattle entered the pen, he maneuvered away and gained altitude to clear some nearby trees. The pilot thought the helicopter was clear of the trees; however, the tailrotor impacted a tree. The helicopter started to spin, so he reduced the throttle to stop the spin. The helicopter impacted terrain, resulting in substantial damage the main rotor blades, fuselage, and tailboom.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.