# Accident 20121021023689A: Robinson Helicopter R44, Lamesa, TX, October 21, 2012

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: October 21, 2012, 12:30 local time
- Place: Lamesa, TX
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Takeoff: Rotation
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 32.8592° N, 102.2892° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.8592&lon=-102.2892&mi=10
- Aircraft: N7507K, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7507K-2020-02-21) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Robinson Helicopter R44 (registry code 7640120, https://openairdocs.org/model/robinson-helicopter-r44) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming 0-540F1 SERIE (registry code 41531, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540f1-serie) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ROBINSON HELICOPTER R44
- Reported engine: LYCOMING 0-540F1 SERIE
- People aboard: 4
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 1
- Pilot certificates: Commercial pilot
- Pilot flight hours: 26,277 total, 123 in this make and model, 8 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB CEN13CA022](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN13CA022) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20121021023689A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

ON OCTOBER 21, 2012, N7507K, A ROBINSON R-44, DEPARTED LAMESA AIRPORT, IN LAMESA, TEXAS, WITH ONE PASSENGER.  THE HELICOPTER DEPARTED AND TRAVELED NORTHWEST TO AN OPEN FIELD ADJACENT TO TEXAS STATE ROADS 1066 AND 120 IN GAINES COUNTY.  THE HELICOPTER LANDED AND PICKED UP TWO ADDITIONAL PASSENGERS.THE PILOT BROUGHT THE HELICOPTER TO A HOVER AND BELIEVED HE HAD SUFFICIENT POWER TO TAKEOFF OUT OF GROUND AFFECT.  THE PILOT STATED HE LOST ROTOR RPM AND IMPACTED THE GROUND. THE ROTOR IMPACTED THE TAIL BOOM CAUSING SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE.  THE FUSELAGE ROTATED TO THE RIGHT 90 DEGREES AND ROLLED TO THE LEFT.ONE OF THE PASSENGERS SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES.  THE HELICOPTER RECEIVED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB CEN13CA022](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN13CA022), Oct 21, 2012: Robinson Helicopter R44 (N7507K), Loop, TX, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s inadequate performance calculations, which resulted in an overweight takeoff for the conditions and the subsequent hard impact with terrain.

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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