Accident Discovery
In March 2009, the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) Flight Standards District Office in Lubbock, Texas, was contacted by a local rancher who reported a two-year-old wrecked helicopter on his property and sought permission to dispose of it. An FAA inspector, previously unaware of any such accident, visited the site and confirmed that a crash had occurred and had never been reported.
Accident Details
The accident involved a Robinson R22 helicopter, registered as N456PH, which was substantially damaged when it struck a pole and impacted terrain. The event occurred on or about May 15, 2007, at an unknown time (possibly 1300 central daylight time) at a ranch in Midland, Texas. The pilot, who was not certificated, reportedly was uninjured. The flight was being conducted under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 for personal purposes without a flight plan. Visual meteorological conditions were assumed to have prevailed.
Aircraft Damage and Circumstances
Upon examination, the helicopter showed severed main rotor blades and a fractured and buckled transmission mast. The tail boom was severed just forward of the tail rotor and separated at the engine cowling. The inspector noted that the helicopter had likely been either taking off or landing between two buildings when the main rotor blades struck a post. According to the rancher, the uninjured pilot extricated himself and walked away after the accident.
Pilot Information
According to the FAA, the pilot's name does not appear in their pilot database, indicating the individual was not a certified pilot.
The flight originated at an unknown time and location. The rancher reported becoming aware of the accident around July 2007.