Purpose Of The Flight Was To Perform A Low-Level Aerial Survey Of White-Tailed Deer

Location: Uvalde, TX Accident Number: CEN25FA104
Date & Time: February 27, 2025, 13:19 Local Registration: N144SG
Aircraft: Robinson Helicopter Company R44 Injuries: 2 Fatal
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Aerial observation

On February 27, 2025, about 1319 central standard time, a Robinson Helicopter Company (RHC) R44 helicopter, N144SG, sustained substantial damage when it was involved in an accident near Uvalde, Texas. The commercial pilot and the passenger sustained fatal injuries. The helicopter was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 aerial survey flight.

According to the operator, the purpose of the flight was to perform a low-level aerial survey of white-tailed deer on the Two Sisters Ranch, Uvalde, Texas. The pilot was employed by the operator and the passenger worked for the Two Sisters Ranch performing wildlife management duties. The pilot had been employed by the operator for several years and had extensive experience performing low-level aerial surveys and was familiar with the operating area.

The aerial survey flights are typically flown between 75 to 100 ft above ground level, east to west passes are performed, and with an airspeed between 20 to 30 kts. As the deer are observed, the front left seat passenger would record his observations in a notebook noting the number of bucks, does, and yearlings. Also onboard the helicopter was a Benelli M2 12-gauge shotgun with buckshot shotshells, that would be utilized from the air to dispatch wild pigs (classified as an invasive species) that were observed on the ranch property.

The helicopter departed from the ranch about 0730 for the aerial survey work. The operator had a fuel truck staged at the ranch to facilitate fueling operations. The ranch foreman noticed that the helicopter was past due to refuel, and he contacted the wife of the pilot. The wife of the pilot had also received a Life360 emergency notification on her cellular phone about the accident, that had originated from the pilot’s cellular phone. First responders were notified about the missing helicopter, and the wreckage was located in a remote, flat area on the ranch, consisting of trees, brush, and cactus. The accident site, about 1,090 ft above mean sea level, was located about 245 ft to the east of a dirt road and a wildlife feed and water station.

The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the fuselage, the main rotor system, the tailcone, and the tail rotor system. The wreckage was recovered from the accident site, and it was transported to a secure location. During an onsite examination of the airframe, the upper clevis of the forward right hydraulic servo (part number D212-1 and serial number 36692) was found separated. The threads of the clevis were damaged, and fretting dust was present on the clevis, the associated hardware, and on top of the servo body. A small portion of green torque stripe paint was present above the palnut on the clevis. Three hydraulic servos (two forward and one aft) are located on the top deck of the helicopter.

A review of the airframe maintenance records showed that on November 10, 2023, at 3,254.7 hours, the two new forward hydraulic servos (ordered from the RHC) were installed by Heli Tech, LLC, Uvalde. The most recent airframe maintenance work was performed on January 24, 2025, a 100-hour inspection, at 4,019.12 hours, also by Heli Tech, LLC. The Datcon Hour Meter sustained impact damage, and the airframe time, at the time of the accident, was undetermined.

The helicopter, known as a Raven II, was equipped with Lycoming IO-540-AE1A5 reciprocating engine. The helicopter was not equipped with an emergency locator transmitter (commonly known as an ELT), nor was it required by regulation. The helicopter was equipped with a Garmin GDL 50 unit; however, a search revealed no Automatic Dependent Surveillance - Broadcast data for the accident flight.

A Garmin Aera 796 unit and the pilot’s Garmin D2 watch were transported to the NTSB Vehicle Recorders Laboratory. The three hydraulic servos were transported to the NTSB Materials Laboratory.

The operator was working under an Aerial Wildlife and Exotic Animal Management Permit M-73, issued by the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department, on January 16, 2025. The ranch owner had obtained a Landowner’s Authorization (LOA) to Manage Wildlife or Exotic Animals by Aircraft M-73-59530, issued by the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department, on February 25, 2025.

The operator, who is based in Uvalde, utilizes a fleet of RHC R22 and R44 series helicopters for their work across the country that also includes aerial capture, eradication, and tagging of animals (commonly known as ACETA).

FMI: www.ntsb.gov