Pilot Debrief

ROBINSON R44 II near Caballo, NM — 2013-08-31

Final reportCEN13FA517
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Date
2013-08-31
Location
Caballo, NM, USA
Aircraft
ROBINSON R44 II
Registration
N3156U
Category
Helicopter
Highest injury
Fatal
Fatalities
3
Phase of flight
Maneuvering

Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to see and avoid power lines while maneuvering near the ground because dust stirred up by the rotor wash obscured his visibility.

NTSB narrative

Three witnesses saw the helicopter hovering and the rotor wash stirring up dust. One of those witnesses and another witness observed the helicopter turn, start to fly away, collide with two power lines, and subsequently hit the ground and bounce. The dust likely obscured the pilot's visibility while he was maneuvering the helicopter near the ground and led to his failure to see and avoid the power lines.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Loss of control
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have avoided flying low near power lines.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Photos
  • 15 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents15

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