Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA accident near Freer, Texas, November 10, 2021
On November 10, 2021 at about 7:30 pm local time, a 2001 Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA, registered N7198A, was substantially damaged in an accident during maneuvering (low-alt flying) near Freer, Texas. It was an other work-use flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot’s encounter with ‘settling with power’ while maneuvering at a low altitude, which resulted in a rapid descent and subsequent hard landing.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- November 10, 2021 · about 7:30 pm local time
- Place
- Freer, Texas · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA, built 2001 · all R22 BETAs on the register
- Registration
- N7198A · registry record · serial 3216
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Other work-use flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that the purpose of the flight was to capture deer on a private ranch. About 30 minutes into the flight, while the helicopter was following a deer and about 20 ft above the ground, the pilot turned downwind and felt the helicopter shutter. He immediately realized that he got into a state of “settling with power.” The pilot reported that he attempted to keep the helicopter straight, flat, and upright as it contacted the ground. The helicopter bounced about 3 times before coming to a stop upright. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the main rotor blades and the tail boom. The pilot reported there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operations.
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
- Settling with power/vortex ring state during maneuvering (low-alt flying) defining event
- Hard landing during landing (flare/touchdown)
The NTSB's findings
- Personnel issues › Action/decision › (general) › (general) › Pilot
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Altitude › Attain/maintain not possible
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 6,760 hours in all; 3,590 in this make and model; 117 in the last 90 days; 60 in the last 30 days; 6,760 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: June 21, 2021
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 6,424 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, May 21, 2021
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-360-J2A (piston); 0 hours total
- Operator: Flying J Services LLC
The flight
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 150° at 14 knots, gusting 20
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 5,500 ft
- Temperature: 84°F (29°C), dew point 61°F (16°C)
- Altimeter: 29.83 inHg
- Observation at 2:00 pm from KNOG, 30 miles away
Weather report (METAR): KNOG 1020562 AUTO 15014G20KT I0SM SCT055 29/16 A2983 RMK AO2 SLP082 6//// T02940\6l 56036 PNO $
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
2 documents, released by the NTSB on January 5, 2022. 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 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 9 pages | View Download |
| 2 | On Scene Photos | 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.
Other NTSB records under N7198A the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
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.