Accident Details
On January 24, 2020, at 1750 central standard time, a Robinson R22 helicopter, registration N8364Y, was substantially damaged when it struck a powerline and crashed near Charlotte, Texas. The helicopter was operated as a personal flight under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The commercial pilot, who was the sole occupant, sustained serious injuries.
Pilot's Account
According to the pilot, the flight originated from the family farm after he had finished herding animals into a pen. While airborne, he observed several feral hogs in an adjacent pasture and decided to return to land to pick up a helper to eradicate the hogs. During the approach, the pilot noted that the sun was in his eyes and that dust had been kicked up by the helicopter's rotor wash. While performing a pedal turn, the tail rotor impacted a powerline next to a road. The helicopter then began to spin. The pilot responded by pulling back on the cyclic and lowering the collective, but the helicopter subsequently impacted the ground.
Wreckage and Injuries
The helicopter was substantially damaged in the accident sequence. The pilot reported serious injuries. Post-accident examination revealed no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.