N835AK – ROBINSON HELICOPTER R44 – 2016-12-15 NTSB Accident Report

On December 15, 2016, a Robinson Helicopter R44 (N835AK) was involved in an incident near Separ, 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 abrupt maneuver to avoid electrical wires during the approach, which resulted in a hard landing.

The helicopter pilot reported that during approach to land at a trading post, he circled the landing area multiple times to search for obstructions. He further reported that while on final at about 20-25 feet above the ground he noticed multiple electrical wires in front of the helicopter. He lowered the collective to avoid the wires and the helicopter landed hard.

The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the tailboom.

The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation.

This incident is documented in NTSB report GAA17CA095. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N835AK.