# NTSB WPR23LA145: Robinson Helicopter R44 II, N462BA, Elko, NV, April 1, 2023 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: April 1, 2023, 08:23 local (15:23 UTC) - Place: Elko, NV - Coordinates: 40.825, -115.79133 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.8250&lon=-115.7913&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 106998 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR23LA145 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/106998/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=106998 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23LA145 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain sufficient altitude and airspeed in gusting tailwind conditions that resulted in an unrecoverable descent and impact with terrain. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44 II, 99 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7640122), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Wind: tailwind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44 II, 13 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md?model=7640122), [All aircraft, 594 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md) - [Perception/orientation/illusion: visual illusion/disorientation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02022015): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot; cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44 II, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02022015/cases.md?model=7640122), [All aircraft, 51 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02022015/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Attain/maintain not possible (probable cause); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44 II, 39 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=7640122), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md) - [Knowledge: knowledge of meteorologic cond](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02032020): Personnel issues › Experience/knowledge · Pilot; cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44 II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02032020/cases.md?model=7640122), [All aircraft, 30 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02032020/cases.md) ## 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); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44 II, 14 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=7640122), [All aircraft, 1,127 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md) - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220) (defining event); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44 II, 45 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md?model=7640122), [All aircraft, 780 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md) ## Analysis The purpose of the flight was aerial animal control. The pilot reported that while flying at about 30kts and 50 ft above the ground and during a sweeping turn to avoid the effects of an estimated 30 kt tailwind at low altitude, a strong wind gust occurred in the path of the tailwind, which led to an uncontrolled descent rate. Unable to arrest the descent rate, the pilot executed a run-on landing. Environmental conditions weakened the pilot’s depth perception, which resulted in a tail strike that sheared off the tail boom. The main rotor blades contacted the ground and the helicopter rolled on its side, substantially damaging the fuselage and tail boom. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N462BA](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N462BA), registered now, S/N 12265, built 2008 (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: 12265 - Year built: 2008 - Airframe hours: 4077 - Engines: Lycoming IO-540-AE1A5 245 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Business, Part 91 - Operator: Elkhorn Aviation Inc, doing business as Baker Aircraft - Registered owner: Elkhorn Aviation Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, March 4, 2023 - Departed: Elko, NV - Destination: Priv, Elko, NV - Airport: KEKO - Equipment: Stall warning system, Handheld GPS, ADS-B ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 25; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review May 17, 2022; seat: right; restraint: 4-point ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 250° at 16 knots, gusting 27 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 8,500 ft broken - Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 23 °F - Altimeter: 29.94 inHg - Observed at: KEKO - METAR: KEKO 012256Z AUTO 25016G27KT 10SM BKN085 13/M05 A2994 RMK AO2 PK WND 22031/2223 SLP133 T01281050 ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 20, 2023, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=106998. 2.3 MB in all. - NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 2.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16086667&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120%20N462BA%20edit_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Photos (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 135 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16085651&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Accident%20Photograph%20N462BA-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. --- 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.