Accident Details
On March 18, 2008, at approximately 1045 mountain daylight time, a Robinson R22 Beta helicopter, registration N3055N, sustained substantial damage after impacting terrain at Las Vegas Municipal Airport (LVS) in Las Vegas, New Mexico. The aircraft was registered to Pacific Rim Aviation, Lafayette, Colorado, and operated by Premier Helicopters, Broomfield, Colorado. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The flight was a cross-country instructional flight conducted under Title 14 CFR Part 91 without a flight plan. The commercial certificated flight instructor and student pilot on board were not injured. The flight had originated at Raton, New Mexico, at 0900 and was en route to Las Vegas, New Mexico.
Sequence of Events
According to the instructor's accident report, they checked both the terminal forecast (TAF) and the Automated Weather Observation Station (AWOS) for LVS. Both reported wind from 020 degrees; the TAF reported a velocity of 10 knots, while the AWOS reported 15 knots gusting to 20 knots. As the helicopter approached the airport, the student requested to practice a 180-degree autorotation. The maneuver was initiated from 1,000 feet above ground level. Due to poor rotor rpm and speed control, the instructor assumed control and advised the student he would demonstrate the proper technique. The instructor stated he kept the rpm within the green arc and maintained an airspeed above 65 knots, but noted an unusually high rate of descent. As he leveled out, the instructor felt a strong downdraft pushing the helicopter toward the ground. He added throttle and pulled all available power, but lift was insufficient to overcome the descent rate. Just before impact, the instructor applied slight aft cyclic control. The helicopter struck the ground, bounced, and continued forward with momentum. The instructor then landed the helicopter.
Post-Impact Inspection
A post-impact inspection revealed the skids were spread, the engine mounts were bent, and part of the pilot's window had popped out. The instructor reported that the low rotor rpm warning horn did not sound at any time during the event.