Pilot Debrief

ROBINSON HELICOPTER COMPANY R22 near Bountiful, UT — 2012-07-16

Final reportWPR12CA307
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Date
2012-07-16
Location
Bountiful, UT, USA
Airport
BTF
Aircraft
ROBINSON HELICOPTER COMPANY R22
Registration
N47WH
Category
Helicopter
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

The student’s failure to maintain adequate rotor rpm and the flight instructor’s delayed remedial action, which resulted in a hard landing.

NTSB narrative

While performing a simulated power-off autorotation with a power recovery, the certified flight instructor (CFI) and student noted that the main rotor rpm was decaying. About 150 to 200 feet above ground level (agl), the instructor took the flight controls, executed a flare about 50 feet agl, and realized that the helicopter was going to settle. The instructor then attempted a run-on landing, but the helicopter landed hard, spreading the skid landing gear and damaging the rotors, frame, engine and transmission. The helicopter then slid about 75 feet down the runway, departed the runway surface, and rolled four times before coming to rest on its left side. The CFI stated that there were no mechanical problems with the helicopter prior to the accident.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 2 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents2

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