Robinson R44 N835AK

Summary

On 15 December 2016 at about 17:30 local time, a Robinson R44 registered N835AK was involved in an accident near Separ, New Mexico, United States. 2 people were on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

15 December 2016 at 17:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Separ, New Mexico, United States

Coordinates

32.2006, -108.4222

Aircraft

Robinson R44

Registration

N835AK

Category

Helicopter

Year built

2002

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Las Cruces → Separ

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

GAA17CA095

Nobody was injured.

The pilot’s abrupt maneuver to avoid electrical wires during the approach, which resulted in a hard landing.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB 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 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.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.