Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA accident near Albuquerque, New Mexico, September 26, 2014
On September 26, 2014 at about 1:45 pm local time, a 1998 Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA, registered N7026J, was substantially damaged in an accident during approach near Albuquerque, New Mexico. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person 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 failure to maintain main rotor rpm during a pinnacle approach, which resulted in a loss of helicopter control and collision with terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's decision to attempt the approach given the helicopter's weight and the high-density altitude.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 26, 2014 · about 1:45 pm local time
- Place
- Albuquerque, New Mexico · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA BETA, built 1998 · all R22 BETAs on the register
- Registration
- N7026J · no longer on the register · serial 2856
- 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 practicing pinnacle approaches in the helicopter. The pilot reported that, during the second practice approach, the helicopter gradually slowed, and, when it was about 15 ft above the ground and between 20 and 25 knots, the low-rotor rpm horn sounded. The pilot attempted to increase the rotor rpm by lowering the collective and applying aft cyclic, but the helicopter continued to descend, and the pilot subsequently performed an autorotation. During the landing, the left skid struck a hill, and the helicopter rolled on its side. A postaccident examination of the helicopter did not reveal any preimpact anomalies. The helicopter was operating at a density altitude of about 7,000 ft, and the pilot reported that the helicopter felt "heavy," likely because the main fuel tank was filled instead of the auxiliary fuel tank before the flight. The combined effects of the helicopter's high weight and the high-density altitude reduced the helicopter's performance and limited the power available, which made it critical for the pilot to maintain rotor rpm while executing the approach.
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
- Miscellaneous/other during approach
- Loss of control in flight during approach defining event
- Autorotation Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain)
- Hard landing during landing
- Dynamic rollover during landing
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Prop/rotor parameters › Not attained/maintained
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- factor Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Temp/humidity/pressure › High density altitude › Effect on operation
- factor Personnel issues › Action/decision › Info processing/decision › Decision making/judgment › Pilot
- factor Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Aircraft capability › Maximum weight › Not specified
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot, commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane; rotorcraft: glider
- Flight time: 4,595 hours in all; 89 in this make and model; 267 in the last 90 days; 92 in the last 30 days; 4,421 as pilot in command; 32 on instruments
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded
- Maximum gross weight: 1,369 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-360-J2A (piston); 0 hours total
- Operator: Vertical Limit Aviation
The flight
- Departed from: AEG Albuquerque NM at 1:15 pm
- Destination: AEG Albuquerque NM
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 11,000 ft; clear
- Temperature: 55°F (13°C), dew point 54°F (12°C)
- Altimeter: 30.25 inHg
- Observation at 1:48 pm from AEG, 6 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
3 documents, released by the NTSB on February 18, 2016. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 9 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Excerpt from FAA Helicopter Flying Handbook | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 3 | Density Altitude Chart | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
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.