On February 14, 2020, a Robinson R44 II was involved in an aviation accident near Marfa, TX. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a fence during low-altitude maneuvering. This summary draws on records from NTSB; 12 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.
A helicopter's tail rotor struck a barbed wire fence during a cattle herding flight, causing the aircraft to spin and impact the ground. The helicopter sustained damage to the tail rotor drive system and tail boom.
Accident Sequence
The helicopter pilot reported flying parallel to a 10 ft barbed wire fence while herding cows into a livestock pen. During the maneuver, the helicopter's tail rotor struck the fence. The collision caused the helicopter to spin multiple times to the right. The helicopter ascended about 10 ft, and the pilot retarded the throttle and lowered the collective to the full down position in an attempt to minimize the rapid right spin. The helicopter subsequently impacted the ground and came to rest upright.
Damage
The accident resulted in damage to the tail rotor drive system and tail boom.
Contributing factors
PilotAltitude — Not attained/maintainedEffect on equipment
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