Thursday, October 24, 2019

Robinson R22 Beta, N7189D and Robinson R22 Beta, N74512: Fatal accident occurred October 23, 2019 in Hebbronville, Jim Hogg County, Texas

Charles Short
APRIL 17, 1970 ~ OCTOBER 23, 2019

Jose Renee Garcia of Realitos, Texas


The National Transportation Safety Board traveled to the scene of this accident.

Additional Participating Entities:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; San Antonio, Texas
Robinson Helicopters; Torrence, California

N7189D Aviation Accident Preliminary Report - National Transportation Safety Board: https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf

https://registry.faa.gov/N7189D

Location: Hebbronville, TX
Accident Number: CEN20FA012A
Date & Time: 10/23/2019, 0846 CDT
Registration: N7189D
Aircraft: ROBINSON R22 Beta
Injuries:2 Fatal
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Business

On October 23, 2019, about 0846 central daylight time, two Robinson R22 helicopters, N7189D and N74512, collided mid-air while conducting wildlife management operations on private property in Hebbronville, Texas. The commercial pilot and passenger in N7189D were fatally injured. The commercial pilot in N74512 was not injured, and the passenger received serious injuries. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the business flights that were conducted under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91, and no flight plans had been filed. The helicopters departed from the private property about 0800.

According to pilot of N74512, N7189D was operating as the spotter aircraft, responsible for sighting wildlife on the ground. N74512 was the "gunner" aircraft, responsible for capturing the wildlife. The pilot of N7189D had spotted wildlife and called it out to the pilot of N74512 over the radio. N74512 flew to the area where N7189D was flying, and the pilot of N74512 had called out he had wildlife in sight. The pilot of N74512 estimated he was flying about 100 ft above ground level (agl) and was approximately 100 ft behind N7189D, who was flying about 50 ft agl. N74512 turned to the right and continued to track the wildlife while descending upon it. N7189D turned to the left announcing on the radio he had spotted another animal. The pilot of N7189D then called over the radio that the animal was not viable, which was the last transmission before the pilot of N74512 felt an impact to his helicopter. He then observed the other helicopter descend and impact the ground.

Two witnesses on the ground stated after the pilot of N74512 announced he had the wildlife in sight, the helicopter turned to the right to follow the wildlife. The pilot of N7189D initially turned to the left, but then came back to the right for some reason and collided with N74512.

The main wreckage of N7189D came to rest in an unimproved field containing scrub brush and mesquite trees. The helicopter came to rest at a magnetic heading of 268º at an elevation of 580 ft. The helicopter impacted the ground in a flat, slight left-side low position. The main wreckage included the main rotor, tail rotor, fuselage, tail boom, and skids. N74512 performed a forced landing on an adjacent roadway. The helicopter was positioned on a magnetic heading of 267º at an elevation of 570 ft. The helicopter was intact, with exception of separated skids and displaced lower frames.

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: ROBINSON
Registration: N7189D
Model/Series: R22 Beta
Aircraft Category: Helicopter
Amateur Built: No
Operator: South Texas Helicopters Inc
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None 

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: KHBV, 663 ft msl
Observation Time: 0853 CDT
Distance from Accident Site: 6 Nautical Miles
Temperature/Dew Point: 13°C / 2°C
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 17 knots / 23 knots, 180°
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility:  10 Miles
Altimeter Setting: 29.94 inches Hg
Type of Flight Plan Filed:
Departure Point:
Destination:

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 Fatal
Aircraft Damage: Destroyed
Passenger Injuries: 1 Fatal
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 2 Fatal

Latitude, Longitude: 27.372500, -98.633333 (est)

N74512 Aviation Accident Preliminary Report - National Transportation Safety Board: https://app.ntsb.gov/N74512 

https://registry.faa.gov/N74512

Location: Hebbronville, TX
Accident Number: CEN20FA012B
Date & Time: 10/23/2019, 0846 CDT
Registration: N74512
Aircraft: Robinson R22
Injuries: 1 Serious, 1 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Business

On October 23, 2019, about 0846 central daylight time, two Robinson R22 helicopters, N7189D and N74512, collided mid-air while conducting wildlife management operations on private property in Hebbronville, Texas. The commercial pilot and passenger in N7189D were fatally injured. The commercial pilot in N74512 was not injured, and the passenger received serious injuries. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the business flights that were conducted under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91, and no flight plans had been filed. The helicopters departed from the private property about 0800.

According to pilot of N74512, N7189D was operating as the spotter aircraft, responsible for sighting wildlife on the ground. N74512 was the "gunner" aircraft, responsible for capturing the wildlife. The pilot of N7189D had spotted wildlife and called it out to the pilot of N74512 over the radio. N74512 flew to the area where N7189D was flying, and the pilot of N74512 had called out he had wildlife in sight. The pilot of N74512 estimated he was flying about 100 ft above ground level (agl) and was approximately 100 ft behind N7189D, who was flying about 50 ft agl. N74512 turned to the right and continued to track the wildlife while descending upon it. N7189D turned to the left announcing on the radio he had spotted another animal. The pilot of N7189D then called over the radio that the animal was not viable, which was the last transmission before the pilot of N74512 felt an impact to his helicopter. He then observed the other helicopter descend and impact the ground.

Two witnesses on the ground stated after the pilot of N74512 announced he had the wildlife in sight, the helicopter turned to the right to follow the wildlife. The pilot of N7189D initially turned to the left, but then came back to the right for some reason and collided with N74512.

The main wreckage of N7189D came to rest in an unimproved field containing scrub brush and mesquite trees. The helicopter came to rest at a magnetic heading of 268º at an elevation of 580 ft. The helicopter impacted the ground in a flat, slight left-side low position. The main wreckage included the main rotor, tail rotor, fuselage, tail boom, and skids. N74512 performed a forced landing on an adjacent roadway. The helicopter was positioned on a magnetic heading of 267º at an elevation of 570 ft. The helicopter was intact, with exception of separated skids and displaced lower frames.

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Robinson
Registration: N74512
Model/Series: R22 BETA
Aircraft Category: Helicopter
Amateur Built: No
Operator: Smith Helicopters Inc
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: KHBV, 663 ft msl
Observation Time: 0853 CDT
Distance from Accident Site: 6 Nautical Miles
Temperature/Dew Point: 13°C / 2°C
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 17 knots / 23 knots, 180°
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility:  10 Miles
Altimeter Setting: 29.94 inches Hg
Type of Flight Plan Filed:
Departure Point:
Destination: 

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: 1 Serious
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 Serious, 1 None
Latitude, Longitude: 27.372500, -98.633333 (est)

Those who may have information that might be relevant to the National Transportation Safety Board investigation may contact them by email eyewitnessreport@ntsb.gov, and any friends and family who want to contact investigators about the accident should email assistance@ntsb.gov. 


Charles Short, 49, passed away on Wednesday, October 23, 2019.
He was born on April 17, 1970 to James Clyde Short, Jr. and Mary Ann Peril Short in Odessa, Texas.

Charles was a helicopter pilot in the farming and ranching industry.

He enjoyed hunting, and especially loved spending time with his family and friends.

He is preceded in death by his sister, Melissa Ann Short.

He is survived by his wife, Lachelle Short and two daughters, Paige Short and Payton Short of Alice, Texas. Mother, Mary Ann (WM Spencer) Hart of Kerrville, Texas, Father, James Clyde (Terri) Short, Jr. of Hondo, Texas, Grandmother, Maxine Short of Kerrville, Texas, Father-in-law and Mother-in-law, Jerry (Shirley) Collinsworth of Falfurrias, Texas. 

Charles was such a wonderful person who was genuine, loving and was always willing to help others. He will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved him.

Family will receive friends from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Wednesday, October 30, 2019 at Holmgreen Mortuary.

Funeral Service will be held at 1:00 p.m. Thursday, October 31, 2019 at Holmgreen Mortuary with Reverend Michael Smith officiating.

Graveside Service will be held at a later date in the Peril Family Cemetery Northwest of Kerrville, Texas.

A fund has been established for the future benefit of Charles' children as an expression of sympathy, donations may be made to the, Charles Short Family Fund c/o Frost Bank, P.O. Box 1600, San Antonio, Texas 78296.

Arrangements are entrusted to Holmgreen Mortuary; 2061 E. Main St., Alice, Texas.

Condolences for the family may be offered at www.holmgreenmortuaryinc.com and shared via Holmgreen Mortuary Facebook.



The two people who died Wednesday, Oct. 23 in the a helicopter crash just outside of Hebbronville were recently identified.

Forty-nine-year-old Charles Short of Alice was the pilot of one of the helicopters and 39-year-old Jose Renee Garcia of Realitos was a passenger in helicopter.

Short enjoyed hunting, and especially loved spending time with his family and friends. He is survived by his wife, Lachelle Short and two daughters, Paige Short and Payton.

Garcia worked for the King Ranch for 13 years before he began at the Wagner Ranch where he served as a ranch manager for over five years. He is survived by his children Derek Ryan and Ava Rae Garcia.

According to Sgt. Nathan Brandley with Department of Public Safety, the helicopters were at a private ranch northeast of Hebbronville and southwest of Benavides when the lower helicopter began to climb and struck the helicopter above.

According to law enforcement officials, three helicopters were netting deer. One of the helicopters crashed landed and the other two helicopters landed safely.

The third individual involved in the accident is at Spohn Shoreline in Corpus with an ankle injury, Brandley said.

https://www.recordstar.com



Hebbronville, Texas — Officials with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) confirmed Wednesday morning that they are investigating a mid-air collision between two helicopters in southern Duval County near the city of Hebbronville  that left 2 people dead.

The incident took place above a private ranch and occurred during what officials are calling “scheduled wildlife management operations.” A total of 3 helicopters were being used to capture deer using a common netting technique used by wildlife managers. Two of the helicopters reportedly came into contact with each other during flight operations.

While two of the helicopters were able to land, a third crashed into the ground killing one person on the scene. Another was transported to an Alice hospital via medical helicopter where the victim there later died from injuries sustained in the crash.

The NTSB confirmed that a “go-team” has been dispatched to the scene to gather information and data from the crash site. A preliminary report with limited information will be available within a few days, while a conclusive report will take several months to complete.

Original article can be found here ➤ https://www.southsidelight.com

HEBBRONVILLE (KGNS) - Two helicopters collided over a ranch in Hebbronville, killing two men.

The Texas Department of Public Safety says the two Robinson R22 Beta helicopters crashed mid-air this morning, about 60 miles from Laredo.

According to reports, one helicopter was able to land and the other crashed after the collision, killing both people on board.

One man died at the scene and the second died at the hospital.

One of the two people in the other helicopter was injured.

Their identities have not yet been released.

The cause of the crash is under investigation by both the Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board.

Original article can be found here ➤ https://www.kgns.tv

HEBBRONVILLE, Texas — Two people have been confirmed dead Wednesday morning following a crash involving three helicopters that were netting deer at a ranch northeast of Hebbronville, Texas.

According to the Duval County Sheriff Romeo Ramirez, it happened Wednesday morning over a private ranch inside Duval County about five miles away from Hebbronville.

Ramirez said three small helicopters were being used to net deer on the ranch. It is believed that two of the helicopters got too close to each other and their rotors collided and one of them crashed. The other two landed safely.

According to the Duval County Sheriff, one person was confirmed dead at the scene.

Two others were injured in the crash -- one was transported in critical condition via HALO-Flight to a hospital in Alice where they later died. Another was transported in serious condition by ambulance.

The pilot who passed away was identified as 49-year-old James "Charles" Short from Alice, Texas. The passenger who passed away was 39-year-old Jose "J.R." Garcia from Realitos, Texas.

Many 3News viewers who read this story early in the day asked us what exactly deer netting means.

Dear netting is part of a Deer Management Program, or DMP, used for either relocating the animals or for breeding purposes. The process is supposed to be approved by Texas Game Wardens ahead of time.

One Coastal Bend rancher explained the process to 3News.

"It's where a rancher can take and catch 20 white-tailed doe, deer, and put them into a five- or 10-acre, whatever size pen that he wants to, and the state or a biologist comes out and checks that he has plenty of water, brush, and food in there. If they get it approved then they can catch 20 does with any buck of their choice," rancher Jeff Curtis said. "It's a great deal that the State lets you do something like that."

Story and video ➤ https://www.kiiitv.com

1 comment:

  1. Deceased: Charles Short and J. R. Garcia

    Injured: Ryan Barfield and Jay Smith

    Heartfelt condolences and prayers for all involved in this tragic accident.

    ReplyDelete