Pilot Debrief

BELL 206B3 near Glendale, AZ — 2011-05-27

Final reportWPR11CA243
Sign in to save
Date
2011-05-27
Location
Glendale, AZ, USA
Airport
KGEU
Aircraft
BELL 206B3
Registration
N59383
Category
Helicopter
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

The certified flight instructor's failure to maintain adequate main rotor RPM during the autorotation.

NTSB narrative

The certified flight instructor reported that the purpose of the flight was to demonstrate a variety of maneuvers to the student in the helicopter. Near the end of the flight the instructor demonstrated a power-on autorotation; however, he delayed the application of power and did not have sufficient rotor RPM to recover the helicopter before impacting the ground. Upon ground impact, the helicopter's tail rotor drive shaft and main rotor blades were damaged. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions of failures with the airframe or the engine that would have precluded normal operation.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 3 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents3

Related mishaps