Monday, September 13, 2021

Robinson R22 Beta, N292DD: Fatal accident occurred September 10, 2021 in Mentone, Loving County, Texas

This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when the final report has been completed. 

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

Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Lubbock, Texas

Concho Aviation LLC


Location: Mentone, TX
Accident Number: CEN21FA410
Date & Time: September 10, 2021, 09:00 Local
Registration: N292DD
Aircraft: ROBINSON HELICOPTER R22 BETA 
Injuries: 1 Fatal
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Aerial observation

On September 10, 2021, about 0900 central daylight time, a Robinson Helicopter R22 Beta, N292DD, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Mentone, Texas. The pilot was fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 aerial observation (livestock gathering) flight.

The pilot departed the operator’s facility in Sterling City, Texas, about 0750. Ground support personnel arrived in the area about 0800. A witness observed the helicopter 6 times over the next 30 to 40 minutes. The wreckage was discovered about 0930 and local authorities were contacted. There were no known witnesses to the accident itself.

The accident site was located on a private ranch in an area of low scrub brush. The main wreckage was positioned about 50 ft from a set of power lines. The power line support poles extended to about 50 ft above ground level; the transmission lines were about 45 ft. agl. One power transmission line was separated and draped over the intact lines.

The helicopter sustained damage to the fuselage, tail boom and main rotor blades. The fuselage nose exhibited localized discoloration consistent with electrical arcing damage. Repetitive linear marks consistent with powerline contact were present aft of the arcing damage. The aft portion of the tail boom including the tail rotor assembly was separated and located near the main wreckage. Tail boom fragments in the area of the separation exhibited deformation and scuffing marks consistent with contact to a main rotor blade. Both main rotor blades and both tail rotor blades were damaged but remained secured to the respective rotor hubs.


Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: ROBINSON HELICOPTER
Registration: N292DD
Model/Series: R22 BETA
Aircraft Category: Helicopter
Amateur Built:
Operator: 
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None
Operator Designator Code:

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: VMC 
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: KINK,2807 ft msl
Observation Time: 08:53 Local
Distance from Accident Site: 16 Nautical Miles
Temperature/Dew Point: 21°C /11°C
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear 
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 9 knots / , 160°
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility: 10 miles
Altimeter Setting: 30.14 inches Hg
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Departure Point: Sterling City, TX (PVT)
Destination: Mentone, TX

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 Fatal 
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: N/A 
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A 
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 Fatal
Latitude, Longitude: 31.855628,-103.49411 

Those who may have information that might be relevant to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigation may contact them by email witness@ntsb.gov, and any friends and family who want to contact investigators about the accident should email assistance@ntsb.gov. You can also call the NTSB Response Operations Center at 844-373-9922 or 202-314-6290.

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