N842SH

Substantial
None

ROBINSON HELICOPTER R22 BETAS/N: 3819

Accident Details

Date
Thursday, June 25, 2015
NTSB Number
GAA15CA154
Location
Eagle Lake, TX
Event ID
20150701X93948
Coordinates
29.618610, -96.410835
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
Highest Injury
None
Fatalities
0
Serious Injuries
0
Minor Injuries
0
Uninjured
1
Total Aboard
1

Probable Cause and Findings

The pilot's failure to secure the iPad during flight, resulting in an inadvertent cyclic input, and collision with terrain.

Aircraft Information

Registration
Make
ROBINSON HELICOPTER
Serial Number
3819
Engine Type
Reciprocating
Year Built
2005
Model / ICAO
R22 BETAR22
Aircraft Type
Rotorcraft
No. of Engines
1
Seats
2
FAA Model
R22 BETA

Registered Owner (Current)

Name
SILVER STAR HELICOPTERS LLC
Address
1201 CHAPEL LN
City
EL CAMPO
State / Zip Code
TX 77437-9329
Country
United States

Analysis

The pilot reported that that during a low-level agricultural flight, his iPad was not secured on his lap, and it slid off onto the collective. He reported that while he was retrieving the iPad, he inadvertently applied forward cyclic, the helicopter impacted terrain, and sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and tail boom.

The pilot reported no pre-impact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation.

Data Source

Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# GAA15CA154