Pilot Debrief

ROBINSON R22 near Prescott, AZ — 2016-08-02

Final reportWPR16LA156
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Date
2016-08-02
Location
Prescott, AZ, USA
Airport
PRC
Aircraft
ROBINSON R22
Registration
N22UH
Category
Helicopter
Highest injury
Minor
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Maneuvering

Probable cause

The flight instructor’s delayed remedial action to address a low rotor rpm condition, which resulted in an excessive descent rate and a subsequent hard landing.

NTSB narrative

The flight instructor and student pilot were practicing straight-in autorotations in the helicopter. During the autorotative descent, about 400 ft above ground level with the student at the controls, the instructor noticed a high rate of descent and a decay in main rotor rpm. The instructor told the student that he had the controls and started applying collective and throttle to recover rpm. He felt the collective go up and again told the student that he had the controls. The instructor was unable to arrest the descent before the helicopter landed hard and rolled over. The instructor reported that there were no pre-impact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. He further stated that the accident could have been prevented if he had stayed ahead of his student and the helicopter.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Loss of control
First missed decision gate
Instructor could have taken control earlier to prevent loss of control.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents2

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