Ewing Fowler “Mackey” McEntire
May 27th, 1952 - June 29th, 2018
Mackey had a passion for aviation. In 1982, he began a helicopter service business called Concho Aviation-one of the first businesses of its kind in West Texas. Concho Aviation grew into a multi-pilot, multi-helicopter business operation serving clients throughout the states of Texas, New Mexico, and Oklahoma.
The National Transportation Safety Board traveled to the scene of this accident.
Additional Participating Entities:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Lubbock, Texas
Robinson Helicopters; Torrence, California
Lycoming Engines, Williamsport, Pennsylvania
Aviation Accident Factual Report - National Transportation Safety Board: https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf
Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board: https://dms.ntsb.gov/pubdms
http://registry.faa.gov/N787SH
Location: Sterling City, TX
Accident Number:CEN18FA244
Date & Time: 06/29/2018, 2010 CDT
Registration: N787SH
Aircraft: Robinson R22
Aircraft Damage: Destroyed
Defining Event: Loss of control in flight
Injuries: 1 Fatal
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Other Work Use
On June 29, 2018, about 2010 central daylight time, a Robinson R22B, N787SH, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Sterling, Texas. The pilot was fatally injured. The helicopter was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 work use flight.
The purpose of the flight was to inspect a nearby stock water tank and inoperative water pump. The pilot had completed the flight and was returning to land on the helicopter's trailer when the accident occurred.
A witness, who was located at the home base, stated that she saw the helicopter make an approach to land on the trailer, but the pilot aborted the landing, and the helicopter backed away from the trailer and climbed. The helicopter then began "a violent spin" as it climbed to 20 to 25 ft above the ground. The helicopter spun 4 or 5 times, then the witness heard a loud noise like an engine backfire and the helicopter "fell" to the ground. She could not recall whether she heard the engine producing power following the backfire noise. The witness stated that she thought the spin was in the counterclockwise direction but was not positive. She did not see the impact because of building obstructions. The engine was not running when she reached the helicopter.
Pilot Information
Certificate: Commercial
Age: 66, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Multi-engine Land; Single-engine Land
Seat Occupied:Left
Other Aircraft Rating(s): Helicopter
Restraint Used:
Instrument Rating(s): Airplane
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed: Yes
Medical Certification: Class 2 With Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 07/21/2017
Occupational Pilot: Yes
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 08/15/2017
Flight Time: (Estimated) 28000 hours (Total, all aircraft), 20000 hours (Total, this make and model), 250 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 90 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft), 1 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft)
Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information
Aircraft Make: Robinson
Registration: N787SH
Model/Series: R22 BETA
Aircraft Category: Helicopter
Year of Manufacture: 2004
Amateur Built:No
Airworthiness Certificate: Normal
Serial Number: 3627
Landing Gear Type:Ski;
Seats: 2
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 06/19/2018, 100 Hour
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 1369 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection: 17 Hours
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 6017.3 Hours at time of accident
Engine Manufacturer: Lycoming
ELT: Not installed
Engine Model/Series: O-360 SERIES
Registered Owner: Concho Aviation LLC
Rated Power: 145 hp
Operator: Concho Aviation LLC
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None
The helicopter was configured with a single set of flight controls (pedals, collective, and cyclic) at the right seat. The left seat pilot controls were not installed, and the cover plate for the removed left pedal assembly was not installed. The operator stated that the helicopter was routinely used in cattle roundup and predator mitigation operations. The helicopter had flown a previous flight of about 3.7 hours on the morning of the accident. The pilot who conducted that flight did not report any anomalies with the helicopter.
Meteorological Information and Flight Plan
Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation:
Distance from Accident Site:
Observation Time: 2030 CDT
Direction from Accident Site:
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Visibility: 10 Miles
Lowest Ceiling: Overcast / 1000 ft agl
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 10 knots / 3 knots
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: None / None
Wind Direction: 180°
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: N/A / N/A
Altimeter Setting:
Temperature/Dew Point: 95°C
Precipitation and Obscuration:
Departure Point: Sterling City, TX
Type of Flight Plan Filed:
Destination: Sterling City, TX
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time: 1958 CDT
Type of Airspace:
A company pilot reported that the wind was about 10-12 knots from the south about the time of the accident.
Wreckage and Impact Information
Crew Injuries: 1 Fatal
Aircraft Damage: Destroyed
Passenger Injuries:N/A
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 Fatal
Latitude, Longitude: 31.860000, -101.086111 (est)
The accident site was located about 200 ft from its intended landing site on the transport trailer. The helicopter impacted level terrain and came to rest on its right side. There was no evidence of contact with obstructions during the approach. The fuselage sustained impact damage to its lower right side. Both pilot and passenger doors were not installed. Three ammunition cans containing tools and several loose shotgun shells (discharged and undischarged) were present within the wreckage area. Several shotgun shells were recovered from the left floor area, the belly area, and in the debris field. One shotgun shell had a dent in the plastic shell.
Examination of the airframe and engine did not reveal any pre-impact mechanical anomalies. Flight control continuity was confirmed from the cockpit to the flight control surfaces.
The ammunition boxes were placed on the left side cockpit floor to observe the geometry of the boxes in relation to the removed left pedal assembly. The edge of the most-forward box covered the top of the left side pedal receiver when the right pedal was positioned aft of neutral. Due to impact damage the position of the ammunition boxes and dented shotgun shell during the flight could not be determined.
Detailed airframe and engine examination findings are included in the public docket for this accident.
Medical And Pathological Information
South Plains Forensic Pathology, Lubbock, Texas, performed an autopsy of the pilot. The pilot's cause of death was multiple blunt force injuries.
The FAA's Forensic Sciences Laboratory performed toxicology testing on the pilot's tissue samples. The toxicology tests were negative for drugs and ethanol. Small amounts of over-the-counter medicine for hay fever and allergies were present.
Accident Number: CEN18FA244
Date & Time: 06/29/2018, 2010 CDT
Registration: N787SH
Aircraft: Robinson R22
Injuries: 1 Fatal
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Other Work Use
On June 29, 2018, about 2010 central daylight time, a Robinson helicopter, N787SH, registered to Concho Aviation LLC, of Sterling City, Texas, was destroyed when it impacted the ground for undetermined reasons while on landing approach to its home base of operations in Sterling, Texas. The commercial pilot, who was the sole occupant, sustained fatal injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed. The flight was being conducted under the provisions Federal Code of Regulations Part 91. The flight originated about 1958 from a work location on the McEntire Ranch, Sterling City, Texas.
A witness stated that she saw the helicopter on a normal approach to its home base landing site (a helicopter transport trailer parked into the wind). As the helicopter approached the trailer, into the wind, about 5-feet above the trailer, it backed off the approach and began to spin. The helicopter climbed to about 20-25 feet while spinning to the left. The witness heard a noise similar to a rapid reduction of engine power and the helicopter impacted the ground. There was no evidence of contact with obstructions during the approach and no radio distress calls from the experienced pilot. A company pilot reported that the wind was about 10-12 knots from the south about the time of the accident. After initial examinations of the engine, airframe, and flight controls, the helicopter and on board components were transported to secure facilities for additional examinations.
The helicopter had flown a previous flight of about 3.7 hours duration on the morning of the accident. The pilot of that flight did not report any anomalies with the helicopter. The helicopter was configured with single pilot flight controls on the right side, and the left side pilot controls (pedals, collective, cyclic) were not installed. Three ammunition cans containing tools and several loose shotgun (discharged and undischarged) shells were present within the wreckage area. The operator stated that the helicopter was routinely utilized in cattle roundup and predator mitigation operations.
Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information
Aircraft Make: Robinson
Registration: N787SH
Model/Series: R22 BETA
Aircraft Category: Helicopter
Amateur Built: No
Operator: Concho Aviation LLC
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None
Meteorological Information and Flight Plan
Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation:
Observation Time: 2030 CDT
Distance from Accident Site:
Temperature/Dew Point: 95°C
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 10 knots / 3 knots, 180°
Lowest Ceiling: Overcast / 1000 ft agl
Visibility: 10 Miles
Altimeter Setting:
Type of Flight Plan Filed:
Departure Point:
Destination:
Wreckage and Impact Information
Crew Injuries: 1 Fatal
Aircraft Damage: Destroyed
Passenger Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 Fatal
Latitude, Longitude: 31.860000, -101.086111 (est)
According to a report from the Department of Public Safety, McEntire lowered his Robinson R22 close to a trailer, then rose back up in the air. An eyewitness apparently heard a loud popping sound from the aircraft, which then crashed on its right side.
Sterling County rancher Frank S. Price memorialized McEntire on Facebook, saying he was important to firefighters and ranchers in part because he could get in the air to spot fires in a unique and effective way.
"He had an amazing ability to see the fire with an experienced eye and be able to quickly coordinate personnel and equipment, directing them to the area most effective for fire suppression," Price said. "This created issues within other fire control-suppression agencies (Texas Forest Service, US Forest Service and sometimes other surrounding County officials) as those ‘outsiders’ many times did not understand how Sterling County’s coordinated efforts with Volunteer Fire departments, ranchers and Mackey in the air worked."
Price also said McEntire helped develop the radio system used by most firefighters, ranchers and law enforcement members in the area and communicated with them in a way that made them want to listen and respond.
"When Mackey’s positive-commanding-calm voice was heard on the radio, everyone listened," Price said. "He wasn’t ‘barking’ orders, just instructing, and it was very effective."
Price also gave an example of just how good McEntire was at communicating with them.
"Once on the second day of a large wildfire, the main body of the fire had been suppressed and clean-up of smaller fires was in process," Price wrote. "Mackey had landed to talk to VFDs, ranchmen and law enforcement personnel. A plan was made as to how to finish extinguishing the fire. No one was dominant in the discussion, just concise information and thought passed among the group."
According to his obituary, McEntire started up Concho Aviation in 1982, and the company now serves Texas, New Mexico and Oklahoma.
McEntire served on many local and district boards. He was also a Scottish Rite Mason at the Masonic Lodge in Sterling City. He was a member of First United Methodist Church in Sterling City and was involved in many committees.
The funeral for McEntire was Tuesday in Sterling City.
People can send memorials to Sterling City's First United Methodist Church or the Children’s Medical Center Foundation, 2777 Stemmons Freeway, Suite 700, Dallas, TX 75207.
https://www.gosanangelo.com
Ewing F. (Mackey) McEntire
STERLING CITY, TX
Ewing F. "Mackey" McEntire, Jr. was born to Sallie Ann Heath McEntire and Ewing Fowler "Mack" McEntire in Colorado City, Texas on May 27, 1952. He was raised on the family ranch in Sterling County until graduating in 1970 from Sterling High School. From Sterling City, he endured a single semester at Texas A&M University before transferring to Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas. He graduated as a proud Red Raider in 1974 with a bachelor's degree in Agricultural Economics and Education with a minor in Entemology. Mackey moved back to Sterling County to operate the family ranch with his grandfather, Fowler McEntire. In 1975, he married Mary Catherine "Cathy" McEntire. Together, Mackey and Cathy raised four daughters, Ginny, Julie, Monica, and Mary Ann.
Mackey had a passion for aviation. In 1982, he began a helicopter service business called Concho Aviation-one of the first businesses of its kind in West Texas. Concho Aviation grew into a multi-pilot, multi-helicopter business operation serving clients throughout the states of Texas, New Mexico, and Oklahoma. Over the course of his career, Mackey accumulated over 50,000 hours of flight time. That is equivalent to 5.7 years in the air.
Mackey was an active member of his community serving on many local county and district boards. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge in Sterling City where he frequently served as the worshipful master and a Scottish Rite Mason. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Sterling City, Texas where he was involved in multiple committees.
Mackey McEntire went to be with his Lord on June 29, 2018. He was preceded in death by his parents and by his daughter Mary Ann McEntire. He is survived by his wife of 43 years Cathy, his daughter Ginny McMinn and her husband Brad McMinn, his daughter Julie Thomason and her husband B.J. Thomason, his daughter Monica Peters and her husband Greg Peters, his sister Pam Hinkle and her husband Howard Hinkle, his sister Melanie Andrews and her husband Pearce Andrews, and his grandchildren Dyllan Mackenzie McMinn, Jordan Peters, Denver McMinn, and Hailey Ewing Peters. Pallbearers are Jack Clark, Gary Foster, Josh Gaines, Cliff Caldwell, Tony Allen, Mitch Brinninstool, Mike Bodine, and J. Fred Hambright.
Mackey McEntire was an extraordinary individual whose accomplishments and character cannot be adequately encapsulated in a short obituary. He made us laugh every day. He amazed us with his many talents and his breadth of knowledge. He was a man of great faith who deeply loved God and who, in his quiet way, always led us to the Throne of Grace. He loved his family extravagantly. And he was loved beyond measure by his wife, children, grandchildren, family members, and countless dear friends. His absence will be profoundly felt until we meet again in Glory. We love you, Daddy.
Visitation will take place at the First United Methodist Church of Sterling City, Texas on Monday, July 1, 2018 from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. The funeral service will occur at the First United Methodist Church of Sterling City, Texas on Tuesday, July 3, 2018 at 10 a.m. In lieu of flowers memorials may be sent to the First United Methodist Church of Sterling City, Texas or by mail or by phone to the Children's Medical Center Foundation, 2777 Stemmons Fwy., Ste. 700, Dallas, Texas 75207.
https://www.legacy.com
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