Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA accident near Morristown, Arizona, June 11, 2009
On June 11, 2009 at about 5:00 pm local time, a Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA, registered N149SH, was substantially damaged in an accident during maneuvering (low-alt flying) near Morristown, Arizona. 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 the power line.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 11, 2009 · about 5:00 pm local time
- Place
- Morristown, Arizona · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA · all R22 BETAs on the register
- Registration
- N149SH · registry record · serial 4143
- 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 low-altitude flight for rounding up stray cattle on a ranch, the helicopter collided with a power line and descended uncontrolled to the ground. There were no eyewitnesses to the accident; however, two witnesses reported hearing the helicopter working in the area and then hearing a loud bang or boom. One of the witnesses reported that at the same time he heard the loud noise the power went out at his house. First responders reported finding a downed power transmission wire near the wreckage. Wire strike marks were found on the helicopter's lower fuselage that continued to its left skid. The marks appeared to go down the skid strut, and then forward on the skid, consistent with the helicopter pivoting nose down around the wire. Examination of the airframe and engine revealed no evidence of any pre-existing discrepancies that would have prevented normal operation of the helicopter. Toxicology testing revealed that the pilot was using two medications, an antidepressant and a stimulant, that are not typically approved for use by the FAA. He had previously noted the use of the stimulant for mild inattentiveness and been advised by the Federal Aviation Administration that he was not permitted to operate an aircraft anytime that he required medication. He had not indicated the use of any medications on his most recent application for a medical certificate about 2 months before the accident. The role, if any, of the medications in the accident could not be definitively established.
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 maneuvering (low-alt flying)
The NTSB's findings
- cause Environmental issues › Physical environment › Object/animal/substance › Wire › Awareness of condition
- cause Environmental issues › Physical environment › Object/animal/substance › Wire › Response/compensation
- cause Personnel issues › Psychological › Attention/monitoring › Monitoring environment › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 3,200 hours in all; 3,200 in this make and model
- Last flight review: November 30, 2008
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 620 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, December 18, 2008; 71 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,370 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-360-J2A (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: Morristown AZ at 2:30 pm
- Destination: Morristown AZ
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 140° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 81°F (27°C), dew point 39°F (4°C)
- Altimeter: 29.87 inHg
- Observation at 4:53 pm from DVT, 25 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 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 N149SH the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
About this page
Everything above comes from the NTSB's public accident database: the narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words, and the coded tables behind its report (pilot, aircraft, flight, weather, injuries, sequence of events) are written out in plain English. Pilots' ages, home towns and medical details are left out on purpose. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, the folder of records gathered during the investigation, shown as the NTSB released them (the NTSB redacts some personal details first) and listed under the NTSB's own titles. This site's own text never names pilots, passengers or anyone else involved. A preliminary report describes what is known soon after the event and can change; the final report, with the probable cause, usually follows one to two years later and this page is refreshed when it does. Case number WPR09FA284.