NONE · ROBINSON HELICOPTER COMPANY R44 II · 2012-06-10 · Santa Teresa, NM, USA
Event
NTSB number
CEN12LA359
Event ID
20120612X50927
Type
Accident
Date
2012-06-10
Location
Santa Teresa, NM, USA
Coordinates
31.880277, -106.703056
Injuries
Highest injury
NONE
Fatal
0
Serious
0
Minor
0
Uninjured
3
Total aboard
3
Aircraft
Make
ROBINSON HELICOPTER COMPANY
Model
R44 II
Registration
N744JS
FAR Part
091
Engines
1
Damage
SUBS
Conditions
Light
DAYL
Weather
VMC
Probable cause
The sudden decrease in headwind during takeoff in a gusty wind and near a passing train, which resulted in a loss of lift and main rotor rpm. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's decision to operate the helicopter near its maximum performance capability (near gross weight at high density altitude), which resulted in a lack of reserve power available to compensate for the wind change.