Accident · 2015-11-13
What the record says
- Event date
- 2015-11-13
- Event type
- Accident
- Highest injury level
- Serious injury
- Aircraft
- ROBINSON HELICOPTER COMPANY R44 II (N449MC)
- Operating rule
- Part 91
- Operator
- Concho Aviation LLC Operator named in NTSB report
- Operated by (per NTSB report)
- Concho Aviation LLC
Probable cause
The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate rotor speed while maneuvering at low altitude, which resulted in a descent from which he was unable to recover. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's decision to conduct the flight at or near the helicopter's performance limit, which precluded recovery of the rotor speed in sufficient time to avoid the accident.
Source: NTSB case CEN16LA039Flight crew
Certification and experience as recorded in the NTSB accident database for this event. The NTSB records these facts about the crew's flying history; GroundCheck shows them as filed, without names or identities.
| Role | Certificate | Instrument rating | Age | Medical | Flight hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pilot pilot flying | Flight instructor / Commercial | Helicopter | 30 | Class 2 (2014-10-15) | 735 total · 228 in this make/model · 620 as PIC · 286 last 90 days |
Facts as the NTSB records them — GroundCheck adds no judgement. Preliminary records may be revised as the investigation proceeds.