Robinson R22 BETA N982SH

Summary

On 21 June 1998 at about 13:50 local time, a Robinson R22 BETA registered N982SH was involved in an accident near Freer, 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

21 June 1998 at 13:50

Classification

Accident

Location

Freer, Texas, United States

Coordinates

26.1606, -98.0492

Aircraft

Robinson R22 BETA

Registration

N982SH

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Other Work Use

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

FTW98LA278

Nobody was injured.

The pilot's failure to maintain tail rotor-ground clearance due to his improper flare while hovering.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The 2,000 hour helicopter pilot lost control of the aircraft after the tail rotor impacted the ground while he flared the helicopter. The pilot reported to the FAA inspector that while herding cattle, a bull separated from the herd and the pilot turned the helicopter towards the bull to gather him back into the herd. The pilot added that as he approached the bull, he flared the helicopter in a nose high attitude to stop the forward movement. The pilot further stated that he lost control of the helicopter after the tail rotor impacted the ground. The right skid broke as the helicopter spun 180 degrees to the right, coming to rest on its right side. The 1998 model helicopter had accumulated a total of 233 hours since new. A completed NTSB Form 6120.1/2 was not returned to the NTSB by either the pilot nor the operator.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.