Robinson Helicopter Company R44 II accident near Clayton, New Mexico, August 26, 2013
On August 26, 2013 at about 9:25 pm local time, a Robinson Helicopter Company R44 II, registered N744KA, was substantially damaged in an accident during maneuvering (low-alt flying) near Clayton, New Mexico. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 3 people had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's loss of vertical control after the helicopter encountered a gusty tailwind while maneuvering at a low altitude and near the helicopter's maximum gross weight.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 26, 2013 · about 9:25 pm local time
- Place
- Clayton, New Mexico · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 3 people had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Robinson Helicopter Company R44 II
- Registration
- N744KA · registry record · serial 13168
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that 25-30 minutes into the aerial photography flight, the helicopter began to settle (descend under power) while established in a left turn from an easterly heading about 100 feet above the ground. The pilot increased collective control, but the helicopter continued to descend as it approached two sets of power lines. He stated that with full engine power, the helicopter was able to clear both sets of power lines; however, the low rotor speed warning horn sounded as the helicopter crossed over the second set of power lines. The pilot briefly reduced the collective control to regain rotor speed, but, as the helicopter approached the ground, he increased collective control in another attempt to arrest the descent. The pilot stated that the helicopter impacted terrain in a manner similar to a hard landing, bounced, and rolled over onto its left side. The pilot reported there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation. In his statement, the pilot indicated the likelihood that the helicopter's encounter with a southerly wind gust during the left turn from an easterly heading sufficiently reduced the amount of available lift from the main rotor to allow the helicopter to descend with full engine power and collective control. A nearby weather station reported gusty wind conditions from the south, with peak speeds of 32 knots. A southerly wind gust during a left turn from an easterly heading would have resulted in a tailwind condition and an associated loss of available lift from the main rotor. The pilot estimated the helicopter's weight at the time of the accident was about 9 pounds below the helicopter's certificated maximum gross weight. The pilot's maneuvering of the helicopter at a low altitude, while at nearly maximum gross weight, reduced his ability to regain vertical control before the helicopter encountered the power lines and terrain.
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
- Low altitude operation/event during maneuvering (low-alt flying)
- Other weather encounter during maneuvering (low-alt flying)
- Loss of control in flight during maneuvering (low-alt flying) defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during maneuvering (low-alt flying)
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- cause Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Wind › Gusts › Ability to respond/compensate
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Aircraft capability › Climb capability › Capability exceeded
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 16,825 hours in all; 606 in this make and model; 225 in the last 90 days; 62 in the last 30 days; 16,506 as pilot in command; 0 on instruments
- Last flight review: March 31, 2012
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 129 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, August 6, 2012; 129 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,400 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming IO-540-AE1A5 (piston); 0 hours total
- Operator: King Ag Leasing
The flight
- Departed from: KCAO Clayton NM at 8:50 pm
- Destination: KCAO Clayton NM
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 160° at 17 knots, gusting 32
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 8,000 ft
- Temperature: 88°F (31°C), dew point 52°F (11°C)
- Altimeter: 30.21 inHg
- Observation at 9:55 pm from KCAO, 12 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 3 |
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.