# NTSB DEN87LA243: Robinson R-22M, N47RW, Las Cruces, NM, September 27, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 27, 1987, 12:50 local (18:50 UTC)
- Place: Las Cruces, NM
- Coordinates: 32.220569, -106.989936 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.2206&lon=-106.9899&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 24, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17314
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN87LA243
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17314/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN87LA243

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- In flight encounter with weather, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - weather condition - windshear (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - downdraft (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - weather evaluation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Hard landing, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - rotor rpm - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- Roll over, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

A CFI AND A PRIVATE PLT WERE FERRYING A NEWLY PURCHASED HELICOPTER TO THEIR HOME AIRPORT. DURING A FUEL STOP, WHILE ON A VISUAL APPROACH, THE HELICOPTER ENCOUNTERED WINDSHEAR. THE DENSITY ALTITUDE WAS 8000 FEET, AND THE HELICOPTER WAS AT OR NEAR MAX GROSS WT. THE PLT REPORTED ADDING ADDITIONAL COLLECTIVE PITCH TO TRY TO COUNTER A HIGH RATE OF DESCENT. THE LOW ROTOR RPM WARNING SOUNDED JUST PRIOR TO TOUCHDOWN. A HARD LANDING WITH FORWARD AIRSPEED RESULTED. THE HELICOPTER NOSED OVER AND THE MAIN ROTOR CONTACTED THE TERRAIN, THEN SEVERED THE TAIL BOOM. THE HELICOPTER ROLLED LEFT AND CAME TO REST ON THE LEFT SIDE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N47RW (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: ROBINSON R-22M
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 689
- Airframe hours: 26
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-B2C 131 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Ferry, Part 91
- Operator: Ronnie Wright
- Registered owner: Ronnie  G. Wright
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 27, 1987, 11 hours before
- Departed: P33, WILCOX, AZ
- Airport: LRU, Las Cruces International

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 30; flight instructor, commercial; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 401 total, 401 in this make and model, 319 as pilot in command, 116 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 210° at 10 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19870927056539A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870927056539A), Sep 27, 1987: Robsin R22, Las Cruces, NM, Substantial damage. Lost lift on approach. Low rotor RPM horn sounded. Hard landing. Main rotor contacted terrain. Nosed over.

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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