Aerospatiale AS350B accident near Mayhill, New Mexico, June 27, 2014
On June 27, 2014 at about 11:20 pm local time, a 1991 Aerospatiale AS350B (helicopter), registered N69PJ, was substantially damaged in an accident during approach (VFR go-around) near Mayhill, New Mexico. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured and 1 person had minor injuries; 2 others were unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
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The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's failure to maintain helicopter control while performing a go-around in strong, gusting wind conditions. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's decision to initiate the flight in strong, gusting wind conditions.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 4, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 27, 2014 · about 11:20 pm local time
- Place
- Mayhill, New Mexico · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured and 1 person had minor injuries; 2 others were unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Aerospatiale AS350B, built 1991 · all AS350Bs on the register
- Registration
- N69PJ · registry record · serial 2455
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The commercial pilot was conducting a personal flight. Weather reports indicated that strong, gusting wind conditions existed around the time that the pilot initiated the flight; the pilot was aware of the conditions. About 1/2 hour later, upon reaching the destination, the pilot initiated a go-around due to the strong, gusting wind; the wind direction varied from a headwind to a 90-degree crosswind. After reaching an altitude of 300 to 500 ft above ground level and an airspeed of 50 to 55 knots, the pilot initiated a turn, at which time the helicopter encountered either a strong gust or "ground twister," which resulted in the helicopter nosing down 15 to 20 degrees. The pilot leveled the helicopter's nose but was unable to stop the helicopter from descending. The helicopter impacted terrain, bounced 10 to 15 ft, and then impacted terrain again.
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
- Other weather encounter during approach (VFR go-around)
- Loss of control in flight during approach (VFR go-around) defining event
- Hard landing during landing (flare/touchdown)
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Altitude › Not attained/maintained
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- factor Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Wind › Gusts › Ability to respond/compensate
- factor Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Wind › High wind › Ability to respond/compensate
- factor Personnel issues › Action/decision › Info processing/decision › Decision making/judgment › Pilot
- factor Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Wind › High wind › Decision related to condition
- factor Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Wind › Gusts › Decision related to condition
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: helicopter; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 1,775 hours in all; 134.1 in this make and model; 29 in the last 90 days; 13.8 in the last 30 days; 1,648 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: June 24, 2014
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,252.2 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, June 23, 2013
- Maximum gross weight: 4,299 lb
- Seats: 5
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Turbomeca Aerial 1B (turboshaft); 2,218 hours total
- Operator: Pay Jay Air INC
The flight
- Departed from: ATS Artesia NM at 10:45 pm
- Destination: Mayhill NM
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 260° at 19 knots, gusting 29
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 77°F (25°C), dew point 27°F (-3°C)
- Altimeter: 29.79 inHg
- Observation at 11:15 pm from ALM, 37 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 | 1 | 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.
About this page
Everything above comes from the NTSB's public accident database: the narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words, and the coded tables behind its report (pilot, aircraft, flight, weather, injuries, sequence of events) are written out in plain English. Pilots' ages, home towns and medical details are left out on purpose. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, the folder of records gathered during the investigation, shown as the NTSB released them (the NTSB redacts some personal details first) and listed under the NTSB's own titles. This site's own text never names pilots, passengers or anyone else involved. A preliminary report describes what is known soon after the event and can change; the final report, with the probable cause, usually follows one to two years later and this page is refreshed when it does. Case number CEN14LA326.