Robinson Helicopter R44 accident near Ocate, New Mexico, September 15, 2011
On September 15, 2011 at about 10:50 pm local time, a Robinson Helicopter R44, registered N828PM, was substantially damaged in an accident during landing near Ocate, New Mexico. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured and 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot’s failure to apply carburetor heat, which resulted in the formation of carburetor ice and a partial loss of engine power.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 15, 2011 · about 10:50 pm local time
- Place
- Ocate, New Mexico · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured and 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Robinson Helicopter R44 · all R44s on the register
- Registration
- N828PM · registry record · serial 1493
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The helicopter was about 80 to 150 feet above ground level with the airspeed about 10 to 15 knots, when the pilot got a low rotor rpm warning, and the engine lost power. The pilot lowered the collective pitch lever, put in right pedal, and kept “full throttle.” The helicopter made two to three complete 360 degree turns before it impacted terrain. According to a carburetor icing probability chart, an engine operating in the ambient conditions at the time of the accident could expect a serious risk of carburetor icing while at cruise power. The pilot reported that he had possibly failed to use enough carburetor heat and he thought that was the reason for the loss of engine power. An examination of the helicopter showed no preimpact mechanical failures or anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Loss of engine power (partial) during landing
- Loss of control in flight during landing defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during uncontrolled descent
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Engine fuel and control › Fuel control/carburetor › Not used/operated
- cause Personnel issues › Action/decision › Action › Incomplete action › Pilot
- Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Temp/humidity/pressure › Conducive to carburetor icing › Effect on equipment
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 500 hours in all; 144 in this make and model
- Last flight review: July 16, 2010
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1,381 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, January 14, 2011; 64 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,400 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-540F1 SERIE (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: Ocate NM at 10:26 pm
- Destination: Ocate NM
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 260° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 6,000 ft; scat at 4,800 ft
- Temperature: 54°F (12°C), dew point 41°F (5°C)
- Altimeter: 30.22 inHg
- Observation at 10:55 pm from KAXX, 14 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.