Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA N441MM accident near Escalante, Utah

Probable cause

The pilot’s inadequate preflight planning and his subsequent decision to attempt to climb over rising terrain with the helicopter over maximum gross weight while operating in high-density altitude conditions with a tailwind, which resulted in its inability to maintain a positive climb rate and a subsequent impact with terrain.

NTSB analysis

According to the private pilot, he and his passenger departed a friend's property for the personal flight after refueling. He reported that, as the helicopter was flying up a canyon and climbing in rising mountainous terrain with elevations exceeding 7,500 ft, he noticed a substantial tailwind gust, followed by a decrease in airspeed below effective translational lift. The helicopter stopped climbing, and the pilot immediately made a left turn with the intention of reversing course and turning into the wind. After turning left about 90 degrees, the pilot noticed a change in engine noise, heard the low rotor rpm warning horn, and "dropped the collective" as he continued to try to turn into the wind and regain rotor rpm as the helicopter was about 50 ft above ground level. The pilot was unable to increase the rotor rpm, and the helicopter impacted the rising terrain, which resulted in substantial damage to the fuselage and tailboom.

The investigation determined that the helicopter was operating about 30 lbs above its approved maximum gross weight and that the calculated density altitude was about 9,600 ft. It is likely that the pilot did not adequately plan for the flight, which resulted in his taking off with the helicopter over its gross weight and operating in high-density altitude conditions with a tailwind and in the helicopter's subsequent inability to maintain a climb and its impact with rising terrain.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for GAA15LA131 for the full record.