Robinson R22 BETA N4179M

Summary

On 20 November 2017 at about 21:05 local time, a Robinson R22 BETA registered N4179M, operated by Carmichael Helicopter Service LLC, was involved in an accident near Electra, Texas, United States. One person was on board and one died. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

20 November 2017 at 21:05

Classification

Accident

Location

Electra, Texas, United States

Coordinates

34.0025, -98.9008

Aircraft

Robinson R22 BETA

Registration

N4179M

Category

Helicopter

Year built

2008

Engines

1

Operator

Carmichael Helicopter Service LLC

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Other Work Use

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Electra → Electra

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CEN18FA035

1 person died.

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

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

Read the full 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.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.