# NTSB GAA17CA095: Robinson Helicopter R44, N835AK, Separ, NM, December 15, 2016 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: December 15, 2016, 10:30 local (17:30 UTC) - Place: Separ, NM - Coordinates: 32.200553, -108.422225 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.2006&lon=-108.4222&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-VFR pattern final: Abrupt maneuver](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/270) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 13, 2017 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 94506 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA17CA095 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/94506/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94506 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA095 ## Probable cause The pilot’s abrupt maneuver to avoid electrical wires during the approach, which resulted in a hard landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041000): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041000/cases.md?model=7640120), [All aircraft, 111 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041000/cases.md) - [Attention/monitoring: monitoring environment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44, 21 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md?model=7640120), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: wire](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Response/compensation (probable cause); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44, 18 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md?model=7640120), [All aircraft, 588 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach-VFR pattern final: Abrupt maneuver](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/270) (defining event); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/270/sequence.md?model=7640120), [All aircraft, 346 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/270/sequence.md) - [Landing: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44, 16 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=7640120), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md) ## Analysis The helicopter pilot reported that, during approach to land at a trading post, he circled the landing area multiple times to search for obstructions. He further reported that, while on final about 20 to 25 ft above the ground, he noticed multiple electrical wires in front of the helicopter. He lowered the collective to avoid the wires, and the helicopter landed hard. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the tailboom. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The helicopter pilot reported that during approach to land at a trading post, he circled the landing area multiple times to search for obstructions. He further reported that while on final at about 20-25 feet above the ground he noticed multiple electrical wires in front of the helicopter. He lowered the collective to avoid the wires and the helicopter landed hard. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the tailboom. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N835AK](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N835AK), registered now, S/N 1221, built 2002 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: ROBINSON HELICOPTER R44 (UNDESIGNAT) - Registry model: [Robinson Helicopter R44](https://openairdocs.org/model/robinson-helicopter-r44) (registry code 7640120) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O-540-F1B5](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-540-f1b5) (registry code 42353, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 1221 - Year built: 2002 - Airframe hours: 806.58 - Engines: Lycoming O-540-F1B5 225 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: September 9, 2016 - Departed: LRU, LAS CRUCES, NM - Destination: Separ, NM - Equipment: Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 47; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review December 13, 2016; seat: right; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 1,057 total, 118 in this make and model, 1,057 as pilot in command, 54 in the last 90 days, 38 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 210° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 34 °F - Altimeter: 30.20 inHg - Observed at: KDMN, 36 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 20161215020429A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20161215020429A), Dec 15, 2016: Robinson Helicopter R44, Separ, NM, Substantial damage. On December 15, 2016 a robertson R44 helicopter (N835AK), registered to old city helicopter sales LLC, departed Las Cruces NM airport (klru) to benson AZ… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on February 1, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94506. 698 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 260 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40455955&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (Courtesy of Pilot) (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 438 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40448925&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photo%20(Courtesy%20of%20Pilot)-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.