Robinson R44 II N744KA

Summary

On 26 August 2013 at about 21:25 local time, a Robinson R44 II registered N744KA, operated by King Ag Leasing, was involved in an accident near Clayton, New Mexico, United States. 4 people were on board and 3 had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

26 August 2013 at 21:25

Classification

Accident

Location

Clayton, New Mexico, United States

Coordinates

36.5975, -103.2747

Aircraft

Robinson R44 II

Registration

N744KA

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

King Ag Leasing

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Clayton → Clayton

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CEN13LA507

3 people had minor injuries.

The pilot's loss of vertical control after the helicopter encountered a gusty tailwind while maneuvering at a low altitude and near the helicopter's maximum gross weight.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that 25-30 minutes into the aerial photography flight, the helicopter began to settle (descend under power) while established in a left turn from an easterly heading about 100 feet above the ground. The pilot increased collective control, but the helicopter continued to descend as it approached two sets of power lines. He stated that with full engine power, the helicopter was able to clear both sets of power lines; however, the low rotor speed warning horn sounded as the helicopter crossed over the second set of power lines. The pilot briefly reduced the collective control to regain rotor speed, but, as the helicopter approached the ground, he increased collective control in another attempt to arrest the descent. The pilot stated that the helicopter impacted terrain in a manner similar to a hard landing, bounced, and rolled over onto its left side. The pilot reported there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation. In his statement, the pilot indicated the likelihood that the helicopter's encounter with a southerly wind gust during the left turn from an easterly heading sufficiently reduced the amount of available lift from the main rotor to allow the helicopter to descend with full engine power and collective control. A nearby weather station reported gusty wind conditions from the south, with peak speeds of 32 knots. A southerly wind gust during a left turn from an easterly heading would have resulted in a tailwind condition and an associated loss of available lift from the main rotor. The pilot estimated the helicopter's weight at the time of the accident was about 9 pounds below the helicopter's certificated maximum gross weight. The pilot's maneuvering of the helicopter at a low altitude, while at nearly maximum gross weight, reduced his ability to regain vertical control before the helicopter encountered the power lines and terrain.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.