# NTSB CEN22LA034: Robinson Helicopter R44 II, N3027W, Fort Davis, TX, November 10, 2021

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report
- Date: November 10, 2021, 11:00 local (17:00 UTC)
- Place: Fort Davis, TX
- Coordinates: 30.735729, -104.00638
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.7357&lon=-104.0064&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish
- NTSB office: Central Region
- Parties: FAA
- NTSB case key (mKey): 104251
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN22LA034
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/104251/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=104251
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN22LA034

## Probable cause

The pilot’s encounter of a downdraft from which there was insufficient altitude to recover.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Wind: downdraft](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034035): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on equipment (probable cause)
- [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause)
- [Performance/control parameters: altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Attain/maintain not possible (probable cause)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that he had descended the helicopter to about 50ft above ground level along a ridgeline when he encountered a downdraft from an opposing ridgeline. He attempted to fly out of the downdraft by flying towards lower ground but did not have the power or airspeed to arrest the descent. The helicopter’s low rotor RPM came on as the helicopter impacted terrain and rolled onto its left side. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the main rotor system, fuselage, and tail boom. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400)
- [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event)
- [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060)

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3027W](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3027W), registered now, S/N 11660, built 2007 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ROBINSON HELICOPTER COMPANY R44 II
- Registry model: [Robinson Helicopter R44 II](https://openairdocs.org/model/robinson-helicopter-r44-ii) (registry code 7640122) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-540-AE1A5](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-540-ae1a5) (registry code 41899, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 11660
- Year built: 2007
- Engines: Lycoming IO-540 reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Aaron Kellum
- Registered owner: S2 Helicopter Services
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; injuries: none; commercial; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review October 23, 2021; seat: right; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 2,737 total, 2,100 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 10 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Temperature: 20 °F
- Observed at: KMRF, 24 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 20211110019199A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20211110019199A), Nov 10, 2021: Robinson Helicopter Company R44 II, Marathon, TX, Substantial damage. On November 10, 2021 at approximately 1100 a Robinson helicopter N3027W impacted terrain while performing wildlife depredation with two passengers onboard. All…

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 5, 2022, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=104251. 3.7 MB in all.

- Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 3.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12977694&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Photos (item 2, PDF, 2 pages, 142 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12977408&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%20Array-Rel.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.

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