# Accident 20130826019949A: Robinson Helicopter Company R44 II, Clayton, NM, August 26, 2013

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: August 26, 2013, 15:40 local time
- Place: Clayton, NM
- Damage: Destroyed
- Phase of flight: Cruise/Level Flight
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 36.5975° N, 103.2747° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.5975&lon=-103.2747&mi=10
- Aircraft: N744KA, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N744KA) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Robinson Helicopter R44 II (registry code 7640122, https://openairdocs.org/model/robinson-helicopter-r44-ii) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming IO-540-AE1A5 (registry code 41899, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-540-ae1a5) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ROBINSON HELICOPTER COMPANY R44 II
- Reported engine: LYCOMING IO-540-AE1A5
- People aboard: 4
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 3
- Pilot certificates: Commercial pilot
- Pilot flight hours: 16,825 total, 600 in this make and model, 40 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB CEN13LA507](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN13LA507) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20130826019949A

## Narrative

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

ON AUGUST 26, 2013, AT APPROXIMATELY 1540 MDT, N744KA, A ROBINSON HELICOPTER COMPANY MODEL R-44 II, REGISTERED TO KING AG LEASING, INC., WAS ON A LOCAL FLIGHT UNDER VISUAL FLIGHT RULES NORTH OF CLAYTON, NM (CAO) WHEN IT IMPACTED THE GROUND AFTER AN OBSTACLE AVOIDANCE MANEUVER.  THE HELICOPTER WITH A PILOT AND THREE PASSENGERS DEPARTED CAO AT APPROXIMATELY 1500 MDT TO VIEW THE AREA WHERE THE PASSENGERS HAD HUNTED THE PREVIOUS WEEKEND. WHILE CRUISING AT APPROXIMATELY 50 FEET AGL THE AIRCRAFT APPROACHED AN INTERSECTION OF ELECTRICAL POWER LINES FROM THE SOUTH.  THE PILOT INITIATED A MAXIMUM PERFORMANCE CYCLIC CLIMB AND INCREASED POWER.  THE HELICOPTER CLEARED THE POWER LINES BUT, IN DOING SO, LOST AIRSPEED AND MAIN ROTOR ENERGY RESULTING IN THE AIRCRAFT STRIKING THE GROUND AND ROLLING OVER.  THE PASSENGERS SUFFERED NON-LIFE THREATENING INJURIES (E. G.:  BROKEN RIBS; CONCUSSION; LACERATIONS AND/OR BLUNT FORCE TRAUMA).  THE PILOT WAS NOT INJURED.  THE HELICOPTER WAS DESTROYED.

## 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 CEN13LA507](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN13LA507), Aug 26, 2013: Robinson Helicopter R44 II (N744KA), Clayton, NM, substantial damage. Probable cause: 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.

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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