# NTSB LAX05CA185: Robinson R44, N963JM, Sedona, AZ, May 22, 2005 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 22, 2005, 12:35 local (19:35 UTC) - Place: Sedona, AZ - Coordinates: 34.848609, -111.788612 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.8486&lon=-111.7886&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 13, 2005 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 61558 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX05CA185 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/61558/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX05CA185 ## Probable cause the pilot's improperly planned approach and misjudged distance/speed. A factor was the high density altitude. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, approach - planned approach - improper, pilot in command (cause) - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor) - distance/speed - misjudged, pilot in command (cause) - translational lift - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - high vegetation ## 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 (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: Robinson R44 - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 0963 - Airframe hours: 1191 - Engines: 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. - Pilot; age 62; injuries: none; 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 (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20050522010209A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20050522010209A), May 22, 2005: Robsin R44, Sedona, AZ, Substantial damage. (-23) The pilot got into a low rotor RPM situation at about 80 feet above the surface during landing approach. The aircraft continued descent to the ground and… 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.