Robinson R22 Beta accident near Rock Springs, Texas, May 18, 2005
On May 18, 2005 at about 2:30 pm local time, a Robinson R22 Beta (helicopter), registered N995JW, was substantially damaged in an accident near Rock Springs, Texas. It was an other work-use flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured; 1 other was unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's failure to maintain clearance with a static line. A contributing factor was the low altitude.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 18, 2005 · about 2:30 pm local time
- Place
- Rock Springs, Texas · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured; 1 other was unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Robinson R22 Beta · all R22 Betas on the register
- Registration
- N995JW · no longer on the register · serial 2984
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Other work-use flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
During a wildlife trapping flight the pilot and passenger were in pursuit of a blackbuck. The pilot was attempting to maneuver the helicopter at low altitude so the passenger could shoot a net over the animal. As they maneuvered out of a draw and around a cedar tree, they observed power lines directly in front of them. The pilot attempted to maneuver the helicopter over the power lines but the landing skids caught the top wire. The helicopter hung on the wires for a brief time before the right landing skid broke. The helicopter fell and impacted the ground, coming to rest on its right side.
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
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 500 hours in all; 500 in this make and model
- Last flight review: June 1, 2003
- Medical certificate: Class 2
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1,885 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, May 1, 2005; 2 hours since
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-360-J2A (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: Rock Springs TX
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Temperature: 75°F (24°C), dew point 68°F (20°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Other NTSB records under N995JW 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.