NTSB Factual Report

On February 1, 2013, about 1500 central standard time, a Robinson R22 BETA II, N3059Q, struck trees and impacted terrain on a private ranch near Gillett, Texas. The pilot and passenger were seriously injured. The helicopter was substantially damaged. The helicopter was registered to and operated by the pilot under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident, and no flight plan had been filed. The local flight originated from Karnes City, Texas, approximately 1430.

According to the pilot’s accident report, he and his cousin were on a “wild hog helicopter hunt” on the family ranch. They sighted some hogs along a creek and he descended to herd them out of the creek and into an open pasture. He said he was about 20 feet above 30-foot-tall trees and flying into the wind “very slowly” when the tail rotor “malfunctioned” and he lost control of the helicopter. The helicopter started spinning to the right, and the pilot initiated an autorotation. The pilot said he was able to steer the helicopter towards a livestock tank, hitting the ground “hard,” and cracking the landing skid. The helicopter rolled over on its left side.

According to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, the pilot said that he thought he lost tail rotor authority. The inspector said he found the tail rotor at the base of some trees near the stock tank, and his examination found no preimpact defects.

NTSB Probable Cause

A loss of tail rotor effectiveness while manuevering at low altitude.