Pilot Debrief

MCDONNELL DOUGLAS HELICOPTER 369E near Arcola, TX — 2023-09-07

Final reportCEN23LA404
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Date
2023-09-07
Location
Arcola, TX, USA
Airport
AXH
Aircraft
MCDONNELL DOUGLAS HELICOPTER 369E
Registration
N8372F
Category
Helicopter
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

The instructor’s failure to re-apply engine power during a power recovery after a practice autorotation which resulted in a hard landing.

NTSB narrative

During an evaluation flight with a company pilot, the instructor pilot reported that he failed to re-apply engine power prior to the completion of a practice autorotation with a power recovery. During the maneuver, the instructor’s attention was diverted from reapplying engine power by an airplane holding short of the runway near their planned touchdown point. The helicopter subsequently landed hard on the runway, which resulted in substantial damage to the tail boom. The instructor reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions of failures with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents2

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