Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA accident near Electra, Texas, November 20, 2017
On November 20, 2017 at about 9:05 pm local time, a 2008 Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA, registered N4179M, was substantially damaged in an accident during maneuvering (low-alt flying) near Electra, Texas. It was an other work-use flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from powerlines while maneuvering at low altitude.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- November 20, 2017 · about 9:05 pm local time
- Place
- Electra, Texas · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA, built 2008 · all R22 BETAs on the register
- Registration
- N4179M · no longer on the register · serial 4413
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Other work-use flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The commercial pilot was flying his company's helicopter during a low-altitude cattle herding flight. A witness saw the helicopter maneuvering over power lines; it subsequently descended in a nose-low attitude to ground contact and was consumed by postcrash fire. Both the power lines above the helicopter wreckage and the helicopter itself exhibited damage consistent with in-flight contact with the lines. An onscene examination of the wreckage did not reveal any preimpact anomalies that would have precluded normal operation of the helicopter.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Low altitude operation/event during maneuvering (low-alt flying) defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during uncontrolled descent
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Altitude › Not attained/maintained
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › Object/animal/substance › Wire › Contributed to outcome
- cause Personnel issues › Action/decision › Info processing/decision › Identification/recognition › Pilot
- cause Environmental issues › Physical environment › Object/animal/substance › Wire › Effect on operation
- cause Environmental issues › Physical environment › Object/animal/substance › Wire › Awareness of condition
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 2,100 hours in all
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,193 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, October 23, 2017
- Maximum gross weight: 1,369 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-360-J2A (piston); 0 hours total
- Fire on the ground
- Operator: Carmichael Helicopter Service LLC
The flight
- Departed from: Electra TX
- Destination: Electra TX
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 190° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: a few clouds at 25,000 ft
- Temperature: 66°F (19°C), dew point 27°F (-3°C)
- Altimeter: 29.90 inHg
- Observation at 8:52 pm from KSPS, 21 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
8 documents, released by the NTSB on September 23, 2018. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Memorandum for Record – Interview Sumary -- Aaron Howell | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 2 | Maintenance Records | PDF, 5 pages | View Download |
| 3 | Photos | PDF, 20 pages | View Download |
| 4 | Maps or Charts of Accident Area | PDF, 5 pages | View Download |
| 5 | Release of Aircraft Wreckage, NTSB Form 6120.15 | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 6 | Toxicological Report - Cami 201700241001 | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 7 | Miscellaneous Information - Cami Description of Naproxen | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 8 | Statement of Party Representatives to NTSB Investigation | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.