Robinson R44 | N144SG

The DTSB determines the Probable Cause of this accident to be Pilot Error, in that the pilot was seen maneuvering the helicopter at a very low altitude just prior to the accident, whereupon the main rotor eventually struck a ground object, causing the accident sequence. It is still unclear how or where the blades contacted terrain. There was mention of an associated downed powerline at the crash site by an anonymous local source but that information is not confirmed yet. The helicopter was owned by Holt Helicopters and there has been a long relationship between the helicopter company and the hunting ranch. The crash location is on the Harris Ranch where hunting expeditions are common to occur, and a helicopter is routinely used to look for game from the air. This quote from a local news station: “Kinney County Judge John Paul Schuster told KENS 5 the two were experienced and the flight was “one of their annual trips.” He added that they were surveying game over the ranch before the crash occurred.”

The DTSB recommends that all pilots of all helicopters rehearse and condition minimum standards for flight, and that they maintain sufficient altitude so as to remain clear of unseen ground based objects, especially in helicopters which routinely operate below 100 AGL.