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On June 19, 2010, about 1700 Alaska daylight time, a Robinson R44 helicopter, N333DV, sustainedsubstantial damage when it collided with terrain about 62 miles southwest of Unalaska, Alaska. Thehelicopter was being operated by the pilot as a visual flight rules (VFR)other work use flight, inconjunction with a cattle ranch, under Title 14, CFR Part 91, when the accident occurred. The solocommercial pilot died in the accident. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and companyflight following procedures were in effect. During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB)investigator-in-charge on June 19, an official for the cattle ranch said another pilot at the ranchtold her the helicopter pilot had just dropped off two employees for a cattle count, and upondeparture, the helicopter had "caught a skid," and impacted terrain. The employees attempted torender aid to the accident pilot, but she was told the pilot died. The employees reported they didnot think there were any problems with the helicopter prior to the accident.In a written statement provided to the NTSB by one of the ranch employees who witnessed theaccident, the witness reported that he and another employee were in the helicopter with the pilot,surveying the ranch property, when they spotted a bull that had become entangled in plasticwrapping material. He said he and the other employee got out of the helicopter, and the pilotattempted to herd the bull toward them so they could cut the plastic off. The witness said the bullwould not cooperate, and the pilot tried to land on the trailing plastic so they could tackle thebull. The witness also reported that the pilot tried to knock the bull down with the helicopter. Hesaid eventually the pilot got the helicopter's right landing gear skid under the plastic and triedto pick the bull up, but the plastic broke. He said the pilot hooked the skid under the plasticagain, but this time the plastic did not break, and as the helicopter lifted the bull off theground the helicopter moved forward and to the right, and impacted the ground.Due to the remote location, the helicopter was not examined by the NTSB.
