Summary
On March 10, 2001, a Robinson R22 (N4009W) was involved in an incident near Alvarado, TX. All 2 people aboard were uninjured. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this incident to be: The pilot's failure to maintain clearance with a marked static wire.
On March 10, 2001, at 1000 central standard time, a Robinson R22 helicopter, N4009W, was substantially damaged when the main rotor blades struck a static wire while hovering near Alvarado, Texas. The private pilot, who was the registered owner of the helicopter, and his passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The local flight originated from the operator's private helipad near Alvarado, Texas, at 0915.
According to the pilot, he flew to an area on his property where he and his passenger planned to test some equipment. The equipment was not related to the helicopter.
This incident is documented in NTSB report FTW01LA076. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N4009W.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
the pilot's failure to maintain clearance with a marked static wire.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Historical)
Analysis
On March 10, 2001, at 1000 central standard time, a Robinson R22 helicopter, N4009W, was substantially damaged when the main rotor blades struck a static wire while hovering near Alvarado, Texas. The private pilot, who was the registered owner of the helicopter, and his passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The local flight originated from the operator's private helipad near Alvarado, Texas, at 0915.
According to the pilot, he flew to an area on his property where he and his passenger planned to test some equipment. The equipment was not related to the helicopter. He stated that the helicopter was in a 2-foot hover beneath a marked static wire that was 30 feet agl. He noticed that the wire began coming closer to the helicopter and initiated a descent; however, the wire continued to descend with the helicopter. Subsequently, the wire contacted the main rotor blades and the helicopter landed without further incident.
The FAA inspector, who examined the helicopter, reported that one main rotor blade had a 3 inch gouge that was 5 feet 2 inches inboard from the blade tip. He stated that the second blade sustained minor damage. According to the owner, the blades required replacement.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# FTW01LA076