SERS · ROBINSON HELICOPTER COMPANY R44 II · 2015-11-13 · Alpine, TX, USA
Event
NTSB number
CEN16LA039
Event ID
20151116X85351
Type
Accident
Date
2015-11-13
Location
Alpine, TX, USA
Coordinates
30.119443, -103.633056
Injuries
Highest injury
SERS
Fatal
0
Serious
2
Minor
1
Uninjured
1
Total aboard
4
Aircraft
Make
ROBINSON HELICOPTER COMPANY
Model
R44 II
Registration
N449MC
FAR Part
091
Engines
1
Damage
SUBS
Conditions
Light
DAYL
Weather
VMC
Probable cause
The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate rotor speed while maneuvering at low altitude, which resulted in a descent from which he was unable to recover. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's decision to conduct the flight at or near the helicopter's performance limit, which precluded recovery of the rotor speed in sufficient time to avoid the accident.