Robinson R22 BETA N7026J

Summary

On 26 September 2014 at about 13:45 local time, a Robinson R22 BETA registered N7026J, operated by Vertical Limit Aviation, was involved in an accident near Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States. 2 people were on board and one 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 September 2014 at 13:45

Classification

Accident

Location

Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States

Coordinates

35.2306, -106.8753

Aircraft

Robinson R22 BETA

Registration

N7026J

Category

Helicopter

Year built

1998

Engines

1

Operator

Vertical Limit Aviation

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Albuquerque → Albuquerque

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CEN14LA520

1 person had minor injuries.

The pilot's failure to maintain main rotor rpm during a pinnacle approach, which resulted in a loss of helicopter control and collision with terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's decision to attempt the approach given the helicopter's weight and the high-density altitude.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The commercial pilot was practicing pinnacle approaches in the helicopter. The pilot reported that, during the second practice approach, the helicopter gradually slowed, and, when it was about 15 ft above the ground and between 20 and 25 knots, the low-rotor rpm horn sounded. The pilot attempted to increase the rotor rpm by lowering the collective and applying aft cyclic, but the helicopter continued to descend, and the pilot subsequently performed an autorotation. During the landing, the left skid struck a hill, and the helicopter rolled on its side. A postaccident examination of the helicopter did not reveal any preimpact anomalies. The helicopter was operating at a density altitude of about 7,000 ft, and the pilot reported that the helicopter felt "heavy," likely because the main fuel tank was filled instead of the auxiliary fuel tank before the flight. The combined effects of the helicopter's high weight and the high-density altitude reduced the helicopter's performance and limited the power available, which made it critical for the pilot to maintain rotor rpm while executing the approach.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.