Pilot Debrief

ROBINSON HELICOPTER R22 BETA near St. Petersburg, FL — 2011-09-03

Final reportERA11LA481
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Date
2011-09-03
Location
St. Petersburg, FL, USA
Airport
PIE
Aircraft
ROBINSON HELICOPTER R22 BETA
Registration
N7197W
Category
Helicopter
Highest injury
Minor
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Maneuvering

Probable cause

The commercial pilot's improper recovery from a practice autorotation, resulting in a tailboom strike and subsequent rollover.

NTSB narrative

According to the commercial pilot, he was receiving a checkride to become a flight instructor. During a full stop autorotation practice, as the pilot began a slow flare to slow the helicopter, the helicopter ballooned, he lost control of the helicopter, and it pitched up to the left. During an attempt to regain control of the helicopter, the tailboom struck the ground, and the helicopter rolled over. According to the designated pilot examiner giving the checkride, it was the commercial pilot's third checkride attempt. The pilot's previous checkrides resulted in an unsatisfactory performance and termination of the evaluation due to the pilot’s slow reaction times.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Loss of control
First missed decision gate
DPE could have communicated more clearly to prevent loss of control.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents9

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