Robinson R44 II N41339

Summary

On 28 April 2022 at about 21:30 local time, a Robinson R44 II registered N41339, operated by HELI AG LLC (Ray Griffith), was involved in an accident near Folsom, New Mexico, United States. One person was 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

28 April 2022 at 21:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Folsom, New Mexico, United States

Nearest airport

None (N/A)

Coordinates

36.9109, -103.6478

Aircraft

Robinson R44 II

Registration

N41339

Category

Helicopter

Year built

2008

Engines

1

Operator

HELI AG LLC (Ray Griffith)

Operating rule

Part 137: Agricultural

Purpose of flight

Aerial Application

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

WPR22LA168

Nobody was injured.

The pilot’s failure to maintain airspeed and rotor rpm 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 pilot reported that after departing from a loading truck for the aerial application flight, he turned into the wind, then initiated a right downwind turn. The helicopter lost airspeed and rotor rpm so the pilot lowered collective and the helicopter settled to the ground resulting in a hard landing. The tailboom and main rotor were substantially damaged. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.