Accident Robinson R22 Mariner N47RW, Sunday 27 September 1987

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Date:	Sunday 27 September 1987
Time:	12:50 LT
Type:	Robinson R22 Mariner
Owner/operator:	Ronnie Wright
Registration:	N47RW
MSN:	689
Total airframe hrs:	26 hours
Engine model:	Lycoming O-320-B2C
Fatalities:	Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 2
Other fatalities:	0
Aircraft damage:	Substantial
Category:	Accident
Location:	Las Cruces, NM - United States of America
Phase:	Approach
Nature:	Ferry/positioning
Departure airport:	Wilcox, AZ (P33)
Destination airport:
Investigating agency:	NTSB
Confidence Rating:	Accident investigation report completed and information captured

Narrative:
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.

Probable Cause:

Accident investigation: