N85560 – Robinson R-22 – 2006-04-15 NTSB Accident Report

On April 15, 2006, a Robinson R-22 (N85560) was involved in an incident near Santa Fe, NM. All 2 people aboard were uninjured. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.

The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this incident to be: The pilot's improper preflight planning and his failure to maintain control of the helicopter during takeoff. Factors contributing to the accident were the helicopter exceeding its maximum gross weight for takeoff and the high density altitude.

The helicopter was being operated at greater than its maximum gross weight for takeoff. The airfield was at 6,387 feet mean sea level. The temperature at the time of the accident was 61 degrees Fahrenheit. The pilot said they lifted off and bounced across the ground trying to gain lift. The helicopter then reached a 20 foot drop at the north end of the airport. The helicopter dropped, impacted the terrain and rolled over causing the tail boom to separate, the main rotor blades to bend and fracture, the right skid to separate and the bubble canopy to come off and fragment. The pilot and passenger on board were not injured. The calculated density altitude was 7,914 feet.

This incident is documented in NTSB report DEN06CA064. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N85560.