Robinson R22 N797SH

Summary

On 16 June 2020 at about 17:00 local time, a Robinson R22 registered N797SH was involved in an accident near El Campo, Texas, United States. One person was on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

16 June 2020 at 17:00

Classification

Accident

Location

El Campo, Texas, United States

Coordinates

29.1906, -96.2492

Aircraft

Robinson R22

Registration

N797SH

Category

Helicopter

Year built

2004

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Aerial Application

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

El Campo → El Campo

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CEN20CA230

Nobody was injured.

The pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance from the rice vegetation, which resulted in the helicopter's impact with terrain.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

According to the pilot of the helicopter, he was flying low-level about 20 mph, pollinating a rice field.  He reported that he misjudged his operating altitude, and the helicopter contacted the rice vegetation. The helicopter entered an uncontrollable spin and impacted the rice field. The pilot reported that he was unharmed, but the helicopter was "totally destroyed".  He added that the helicopter was operating normally, and the accident was due to "pilot error" in misjudging his altitude.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.