Robinson R-22M accident near Las Cruces, New Mexico, September 27, 1987
On September 27, 1987 at about 6:50 pm local time, a Robinson R-22M (helicopter), registered N47RW, was substantially damaged in an accident near Las Cruces, New Mexico (Las Cruces International airport). It was a ferry flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The NTSB has not yet published a probable cause for this accident. Investigations usually take one to two years; this page updates when the final report is released.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 27, 1987 · about 6:50 pm local time
- Place
- Las Cruces, New Mexico · Las Cruces International · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Robinson R-22M · all R-22Ms on the register
- Registration
- N47RW · registry record · serial 689
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Ferry flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
A CFI AND A PRIVATE PLT WERE FERRYING A NEWLY PURCHASED HELICOPTER TO THEIR HOME AIRPORT. DURING A FUEL STOP, WHILE ON A VISUAL APPROACH, THE HELICOPTER ENCOUNTERED WINDSHEAR. THE DENSITY ALTITUDE WAS 8000 FEET, AND THE HELICOPTER WAS AT OR NEAR MAX GROSS WT. THE PLT REPORTED ADDING ADDITIONAL COLLECTIVE PITCH TO TRY TO COUNTER A HIGH RATE OF DESCENT. THE LOW ROTOR RPM WARNING SOUNDED JUST PRIOR TO TOUCHDOWN. A HARD LANDING WITH FORWARD AIRSPEED RESULTED. THE HELICOPTER NOSED OVER AND THE MAIN ROTOR CONTACTED THE TERRAIN, THEN SEVERED THE TAIL BOOM. THE HELICOPTER ROLLED LEFT AND CAME TO REST ON THE LEFT SIDE.
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
Pilot
- Certificate: flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: instructor: helicopter; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 401 hours in all; 401 in this make and model; 116 in the last 90 days; 319 as pilot in command; 180 on instruments
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 26 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, August 27, 1987; 11 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,350 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320-B2C (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: P33 Wilcox AZ at 5:00 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 210° at 10 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 81°F (27°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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.