Pilot Debrief

Robinson R44 II near Lake Wales, FL — 2008-05-15

Final reportNYC08TA183
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Date
2008-05-15
Location
Lake Wales, FL, USA
Airport
X07
Aircraft
Robinson R44 II
Registration
N911GJ
Category
Helicopter
Highest injury
Minor
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

The pilot's improper recovery from a practice autorotation.

NTSB narrative

The certificated flight instructor (CFI) attempted a practice autorotation to a power recovery over a runway. During the recovery attempt, the helicopter hit the runway in a level attitude, bounced, touched down again, and rolled over. Winds at the time were variable at 5 knots. No preimpact mechanical anomalies were noted by ether the pilots, or by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector who examined the helicopter after the accident. The CFI reported 6,766 hours of flight experience as pilot in command, which included about 300 hours in the accident helicopter make and model.

NTSB coding

View NTSB final report

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