Pilot Debrief

BELL UH1H near Warrenton, VA — 2010-08-16

Final reportERA10TA429
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Date
2010-08-16
Location
Warrenton, VA, USA
Airport
HWY
Aircraft
BELL UH1H
Registration
UNREG
Category
Helicopter
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Autorotation

Probable cause

The pilot receiving instruction's failure to maintain a proper pitch attitude during the practice autorotation maneuver.

NTSB narrative

The pilot receiving instruction was performing a practice autorotation from about 1,800 feet above ground level. During the touchdown, the pitch of the helicopter increased excessively and the tail rotor and stinger contacted the runway. The certificated flight instructor took authority of the helicopter's controls and lowered the pitch to arrest the tail-low condition. The helicopter began to shudder and both pilots manipulated the flight controls in an attempt to maintain aircraft control. The helicopter then struck the runway in a left-skid-low attitude. A postaccident examination of the wreckage revealed that the tail rotor was separated and the vertical stabilizer was severed. The pilots reported no mechanical anomalies with the helicopter during the autorotation.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Loss of control
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have aborted the autorotation earlier to prevent loss of control.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Photos
  • 4 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents4

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