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Location:
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Fort Davis, Texas
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Accident Number:
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CEN22LA034
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Date & Time:
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November 10, 2021, 11:00 Local
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Registration:
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N3027W
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Aircraft: ROBINSON HELICOPTER COMPANY R44 II
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Loss of control in flight
Injuries: 1 Minor, 2 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal
Analysis
The pilot reported that he had descended the helicopter to about 50ft above ground level along a ridgeline when he encountered a downdraft from an opposing ridgeline. He attempted to fly out of the downdraft by flying towards lower ground but did not have the power or airspeed to arrest the descent. The helicopter’s low rotor RPM came on as the helicopter impacted terrain and rolled onto its left side. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the main rotor system, fuselage, and tail boom. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.
Probable Cause and Findings
The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be: The pilot’s encounter of a downdraft from which there was insufficient altitude to recover.
Findings
Environmental issues Personnel issues - Downdraft - Effect on equipment Aircraft control - Pilot
Aircraft - Altitude - Attain/maintain not possible
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Factual Information
History of Flight
Maneuvering-low-alt flying - Other weather encounter
Maneuvering-low-alt flying - Other weather encounter
Maneuvering-low-alt flying - Loss of control in flight (Defining event) Attempted remediation/recovery
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Pilot Information
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Certificate:
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Commercial
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Age:
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37,
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Airplane Rating(s):
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None
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Seat Occupied:
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Right
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Other Aircraft Rating(s):
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Helicopter
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Restraint Used:
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3-point
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Instrument Rating(s):
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Helicopter
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Second Pilot Present:
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No
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Instructor Rating(s):
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Helicopter; Instrument helicopter
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Toxicology Performed:
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Medical Certification:
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Class 2 Without waivers/limitations
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Last FAA Medical Exam:
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April 29, 2021
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Occupational Pilot:
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Yes
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Last Flight Review or Equivalent:
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October 23, 2021
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Flight Time:
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2737 hours (Total, all aircraft), 2100 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft)
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Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information
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Aircraft Make:
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ROBINSON HELICOPTER COMPANY
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Registration:
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N3027W
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Model/Series:
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R44 II
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Aircraft Category:
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Helicopter
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Year of Manufacture:
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2007
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Amateur Built:
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Airworthiness Certificate:
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Normal
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Serial Number:
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11660
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Landing Gear Type:
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Skid
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Seats:
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4
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Date/Type of Last Inspection:
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100 hour
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Certified Max Gross Wt.:
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2500 lbs
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Time Since Last Inspection:
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Engines:
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1 Reciprocating
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Airframe Total Time:
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Engine Manufacturer:
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Lycoming
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ELT:
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Installed, not activated
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Engine Model/Series:
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IO-540
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Registered Owner:
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Rated Power:
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Operator:
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Operating Certificate(s) Held:
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None
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Meteorological Information and Flight Plan
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Conditions at Accident Site:
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Visual (VMC)
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Condition of Light:
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Day
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Observation Facility, Elevation:
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KMRF
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Distance from Accident Site:
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24 Nautical Miles
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Observation Time:
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09:30 Local
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Direction from Accident Site:
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162°
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Lowest Cloud Condition:
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Clear
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Visibility
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10 miles
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Lowest Ceiling:
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Visibility (RVR):
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Wind Speed/Gusts:
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10 knots / 15 knots
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Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual:
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/
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Wind Direction:
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180°
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Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual:
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/
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Altimeter Setting:
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Temperature/Dew Point:
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-6.7°C
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Precipitation and Obscuration:
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Departure Point:
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Type of Flight Plan Filed:
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None
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Destination:
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Type of Clearance:
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VFR
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Departure Time:
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Type of Airspace:
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Class G
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Wreckage and Impact Information
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Crew Injuries:
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1 None
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Aircraft Damage:
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Substantial
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Passenger Injuries:
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1 Minor, 1 None
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Aircraft Fire:
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None
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Ground Injuries:
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Aircraft Explosion:
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None
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Total Injuries:
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1 Minor, 2 None
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Latitude, Longitude:
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30.735729,-104.00638
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Administrative Information
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Investigator In Charge (IIC):
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Williams, David
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Additional Participating Persons:
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Robert Thomason; FAA; San Antonio, TX
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Original Publish Date:
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May 26, 2022 Investigation Class:
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4
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Note:
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The NTSB did not travel to the scene of this accident.
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Investigation Docket:
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https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=104251
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