# NTSB CEN14LA326: Aerospatiale AS350B, N69PJ, Mayhill, NM, June 27, 2014 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 27, 2014, 17:20 local (23:20 UTC) - Place: Mayhill, NM - Coordinates: 32.88861, -105.479164 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.8886&lon=-105.4792&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-VFR go-around: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor, 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 4, 2016 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 89564 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN14LA326 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/89564/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89564 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN14LA326 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain helicopter control while performing a go-around in strong, gusting wind conditions. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's decision to initiate the flight in strong, gusting wind conditions. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Aerospatiale AS350B, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=8680800), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Aerospatiale AS350B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=8680800), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Ability to respond/compensate (probable cause); cases with it: [Aerospatiale AS350B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=8680800), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md) - [Wind: high wind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034055): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Ability to respond/compensate (probable cause); cases with it: [Aerospatiale AS350B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034055/cases.md?model=8680800), [All aircraft, 112 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034055/cases.md) - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Aerospatiale AS350B, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=8680800), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Wind: high wind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034055): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Decision related to condition (probable cause); cases with it: [Aerospatiale AS350B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034055/cases.md?model=8680800), [All aircraft, 112 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034055/cases.md) - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Decision related to condition (probable cause); cases with it: [Aerospatiale AS350B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=8680800), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach-VFR go-around: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [Aerospatiale AS350B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=8680800), [All aircraft, 1,127 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md) - [Approach-VFR go-around: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Aerospatiale AS350B, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=8680800), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092); cases with it: [Aerospatiale AS350B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=8680800), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md) ## Analysis The commercial pilot was conducting a personal flight. Weather reports indicated that strong, gusting wind conditions existed around the time that the pilot initiated the flight; the pilot was aware of the conditions. About 1/2 hour later, upon reaching the destination, the pilot initiated a go-around due to the strong, gusting wind; the wind direction varied from a headwind to a 90-degree crosswind. After reaching an altitude of 300 to 500 ft above ground level and an airspeed of 50 to 55 knots, the pilot initiated a turn, at which time the helicopter encountered either a strong gust or "ground twister," which resulted in the helicopter nosing down 15 to 20 degrees. The pilot leveled the helicopter's nose but was unable to stop the helicopter from descending. The helicopter impacted terrain, bounced 10 to 15 ft, and then impacted terrain again. ## Factual narrative "***This report was modified on March 14, 2016. Please see the docket for this accident to view the original report.*** On June 27, 2014, at 1720 mountain daylight time, an Aerospatiale AS350B helicopter, N69PJ, collided with the terrain while landing at a private heliport at the P J Arabian Ranch, Mayhill, New Mexico. The commercial pilot and one passenger were not injured. One passenger received minor injuries and a third passenger was seriously injured. The helicopter was substantially damaged. The helicopter was registered to and operated by Pay Jay Air, Inc. as a 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight which not operated on a flight plan. The flight originated from the Artesia Municipal Airport (ATS), Artesia, New Mexico, at 1645. The pilot reported that upon reaching their destination he noticed the wind was "very gusty" and the wind sock indicated the wind direction was varying from a headwind to a 90 degree crosswind. Due to the wind, the pilot initiated a go-around, climbing 300 to 500 feet, and increasing the airspeed by 50 to 55 knots. He initiated a right turn at which time the helicopter encountered either a strong gust or "ground twister" which resulted in the helicopter nosing down 15 to 20 degrees. The pilot leveled the nose of the helicopter, but was unable to stop the descent rate. The helicopter impacted the terrain, bounced 10 to 15 feet in the air, and impacted the terrain a second time. The wind condition recorded by the ATS AWOS, about 53 miles east of the accident site, at 1635, was from 260 degrees at 14 knots gusting to 25 knots. At 1715 the ATS AWOS reported wind from 260 degrees at 19 knots gusting to 29 knots. The wind condition recorded by the Alamogordo-White Sands Regional Airport (ALM) Automated Weather Observing System (AWOS), located about 37 miles west of the accident site, at 1715, was 260 degrees at 19 knots gusting to 29 knots. The pilot reported that he checked the AWOS at this departure airport before he departed on the flight and that, at that time, it indicated wind 240 degrees at 17 knots gusting to 21 knots. The pilot reported that there were no failures or malfunctions of the helicopter before the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N69PJ](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N69PJ-2018-03-16), registration cancelled 2018-03-16, S/N 2455, built 1991 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: AEROSPATIALE AS350B - Registry model: [Aerospatiale AS350B](https://openairdocs.org/model/aerospatiale-as350b) (registry code 8680800) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Turbomeca ARRIEL-1SER](https://openairdocs.org/engine/turbomeca-arriel-1ser) (registry code 60030, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 2455 - Year built: 1991 - Airframe hours: 2252.2 - Engines: Turbomeca Aerial 1B 730 horsepower turbo shaft - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Pay Jay Air Inc - Registered owner: Pay Jay Air Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, June 23, 2013 - Departed: ATS, Artesia, NM - Destination: Mayhill, NM ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 60; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review June 24, 2014; seat: right; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 1,775 total, 134.1 in this make and model, 1,648 as pilot in command, 29 in the last 90 days, 13.8 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 260° at 19 knots, gusting 29 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 27 °F - Altimeter: 29.79 inHg - Observed at: ALM, 37 nm away ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20140627009869A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20140627009869A), Jun 27, 2014: Aerospatiale AS350B, Mayhill, NM, Substantial damage. During a go-around, N69PJ was caught in a down draft and was unable to recover. N69PJ made a hard landing and substantially damaged the helicopter. Pilot and… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on February 18, 2016, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89564. 457 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 355 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40436786&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Record of Conversation (item 2, .PDF, 101 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40436787&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation-Master.PDF 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.