# NTSB CEN14LA520: Robinson Helicopter R22 Beta, N7026J, Albuquerque, NM, September 26, 2014 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 26, 2014, 07:45 local (13:45 UTC) - Place: Albuquerque, NM - Coordinates: 35.230556, -106.875274 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.2306&lon=-106.8753&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 4, 2016 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 90161 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN14LA520 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/90161/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=90161 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN14LA520 ## Probable cause 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. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: prop/rotor parameters](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062052): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA, 37 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062052/cases.md?model=7640110), [All aircraft, 182 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062052/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA, 96 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7640110), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Temp/humidity/pressure: high density altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031020): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031020/cases.md?model=7640110), [All aircraft, 278 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031020/cases.md) - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA, 17 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=7640110), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Aircraft capability: maximum weight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061035): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not specified (probable cause); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061035/cases.md?model=7640110), [All aircraft, 152 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061035/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA, 24 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md?model=7640110), [All aircraft, 1,556 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md) - [Approach: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA, 67 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=7640110), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Autorotation: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA, 85 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7640110), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) - [Landing: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA, 54 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=7640110), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md) - [Landing: Dynamic rollover](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/231); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA, 35 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/231/sequence.md?model=7640110), [All aircraft, 161 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/231/sequence.md) ## Analysis 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. ## Factual narrative On September 26, 2014, about 0745 mountain daylight time, a Robinson R22 Beta helicopter, N7026J, sustained substantial damage when it impacted the ground and rolled over during landing. The pilot was not injured and the passenger received minor injuries. The aircraft was registered to Redhills Corp and operated by Vertical Limit Aviation, LLC., under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight, which was not on a flight plan. The local flight originated from the Double Eagle II Airport, Albuquerque, New Mexico, about 20 minutes prior to the accident.The pilot reported that he was making a second practice approach to a pinnacle in the helicopter when the mishap occurred. The helicopter was slowing gradually and when it was about 15 feet above the ground and 20- 25 knots forward speed, the low rotor RPM horn sounded. The pilot attempted lowering collective and pulling "gentle" aft cyclic to increase rotor RPM and turned to egress the area. The helicopter continued to descend and the pilot executed an autorotation. During the landing, the left skid struck a hill and the helicopter rolled over on its side. The pilot did not report any mechanical anomalies with regard to the operation of the helicopter. According to the pilot's statement, before the flight he had asked that the auxiliary fuel tank be filled, but line service personnel instead filled the main fuel tank. Upon initiating the flight, the pilot noted that the helicopter was "heavy". According to the Federal Aviation Administration Rotorcraft Flying Handbook, FAA-H-8083, certain conditions of high weight, high temperature, or high density altitude, can result in a situation where rotor RPM is low even when using maximum throttle. It further stated that this usually results from the main rotor blades having an angle of attack that has created so much drag that engine power is not sufficient to maintain or attain normal operating RPM. According to Google Earth and the accident location provided by the pilot, the ground elevation was determined to be about 5,900 feet above mean sea level. The density altitude was calculated to be about 7,000 feet, based on this elevation and the weather conditions reported at the departure airport. A postaccident examination of the helicopter did not reveal any pre-impact anomalies. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7026J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7026J-2014-12-09), registration cancelled 2014-12-09, S/N 2856, built 1998 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: ROBINSON HELICOPTER R22 BETA (BETA) - Registry model: [Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA](https://openairdocs.org/model/robinson-helicopter-r22-beta) (registry code 7640110) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 2856 - Year built: 1998 - Engines: LYCOMING O-360-J2A 145 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Vertical Limit Aviation - Registered owner: Redhills Corp - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: AEG, Albuquerque, NM - Destination: AEG, Albuquerque, NM ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 49; injuries: minor; commercial, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; seat: right; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 4,595 total, 89 in this make and model, 4,421 as pilot in command, 267 in the last 90 days, 92 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 11,000 ft broken - Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 54 °F - Altimeter: 30.25 inHg - Observed at: AEG, 6 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 20140926023979A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20140926023979A), Sep 26, 2014: Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA, Albuquerque, NM, Substantial damage. On September 26, 2014, at 0745 MDT, N7026J, a Robinson R-22 beta helicopter, operated by vertical limit aviation, LLC, was on a rental, recreational flight… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on February 18, 2016, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=90161. 2.4 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40436791&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Excerpt from FAA Helicopter Flying Handbook (item 2, .PDF, 217 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40436792&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Excerpt%20from%20FAA%20Helicopter%20Flying%20Handbook-Master.PDF - Density Altitude Chart (item 3, .PDF, 415 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40436793&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Density%20Altitude%20Chart-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.