- Date
- May 22, 2005, 12:35 local (19:35 UTC)
- Place
- Sedona, AZ
- Injuries
- 2 uninjured
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Phase of flight
- Approach
- Aircraft
- N963JMRobinson R44
- Weather
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Status
- Completed · report September 13, 2005
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- Parties
- Federal Aviation Administration
- FAA report
- 20050522010209A
- Case key
- 61558
From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.
On this page
Probable cause
the pilot's improperly planned approach and misjudged distance/speed. A factor was the high density altitude.
Sequence of events
NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.
Analysis
The pilot made an off airport landing in scrub brush, which damaged the helicopter. The pilot made an approach to the transient helipad. He reported that the helicopter was about 80 feet above ground level (agl) and on short final when the helicopter lost effective translational lift (ETL). He lowered the collective and added power. He stated that due to the high density altitude, the helicopter would not hover out of ground effect. He aborted the landing and tried to regain ETL. The helicopter continued a slow descent. About 20 feet agl, he attempted to flare and applied full collective. He landed in small trees and scrub brush. The helicopter remained upright, the engine was running, and the blades were turning. The pilot and passenger exited the helicopter without injury. The pilot stated that there were no mechanical issues with the helicopter. The density altitude was calculated to be in excess of 7,800 feet.
Factual narrative
On May 22, 2005, about 1235 mountain standard time, a Robinson R44, N963JM, made a soft landing in an area of scrub brush near Sedona Airport, Sedona, Arizona. The pilot was operating the helicopter under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The private pilot and one passenger were not injured. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the tail and main rotor blades, and punctures to the belly skin. The personal flight departed Lake Havasu, Arizona, about 1110, with a planned destination of Sedona. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed.
The pilot submitted a written statement. He departed John Wayne-Orange County Airport, Santa Ana, California, about 0810, with a planned fuel stop at Lake Havasu. The flight to Sedona was uneventful. He made an approach to the transient helipad. He reported that the helicopter was about 80 feet above ground level (agl) and on short final when the helicopter lost effective translational lift (ETL). He stated that due to the high density altitude, the helicopter would not hover out of ground effect.
The pilot continued that neither he nor his passenger heard the low rotor rpm warning horn. He aborted the landing and tried to regain ETL. The helicopter continued a slow descent. About 20 feet agl, he attempted to flare and applied full collective. He said that he made a soft landing into an area of small trees and scrub brush. The helicopter remained upright, the engine was running, and the blades were turning. The pilot and passenger exited the helicopter without injury.
Sedona Airport personnel reported that the temperature at the time of the accident was 36 degrees Celsius and the density altitude was 8,000 feet.
The pilot stated that there were no mechanical issues with the helicopter.
Aircraft
- Registration
- N963JM
- Reported as
- Robinson R44
- Category
- Helicopter
- Serial number
- 0963
- Airframe hours
- 1,191
- Engine
- Lycoming 0-540-F1 B5, 260 horsepower, reciprocating
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal · Part 91
- Operator
- Hawkhurst Helicopters LLC
- Registered owner
- Hawkhurst Helicopters
- Airworthiness certificate
- Standard, Normal
- Last inspection
- Annual · May 1, 2005 · 5 hours before
- Departed
- KSII · Lake Havasu, AZ
- Destination
- KSEZ · Sedona, AZ
- Airport
- KSEZ · Sedona
Flight crew
As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.
- Role
- Pilot
- Age
- 62
- Injuries
- None
- Certificate
- Private
- Medical
- Class 3, Without waivers/limitations
- Last flight review
- May 1, 2004
- Seat
- Right
- Flight hours
- 234 total · 162 in this make and model · 68 as pilot in command · 18 in the last 90 days · 7 in the last 30 days · 3 in the last 24 hours
Weather
- Conditions
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Wind
- 240° at 15 knots, gusting 20
- Visibility
- 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling
- None
- Temperature
- 91 °F, dew point 28 °F
- Altimeter
- 30.09 inHg
- Observed at
- KPRC, 33 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.