Pilot Debrief

ROBINSON R22 near West Palm Beach, FL — 2021-01-26

Final reportERA21LA117
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Date
2021-01-26
Location
West Palm Beach, FL, USA
Airport
LNA
Aircraft
ROBINSON R22
Registration
N474AT
Category
Helicopter
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

The examiner’s failure to arrest the helicopter descent during a simulated engine failure maneuver and the flight instructor’s inadequate remedial action, which resulted in a hard landing.

NTSB narrative

The purpose of the flight was for the examiner to conduct an examination of the assistant chief flight instructor applicant in a helicopter. The last maneuver that they were testing for the day was an engine failure on takeoff. The examiner assumed control of the helicopter from the flight instructor and began the takeoff. He asked the flight instructor to guard the flight controls before he announced a simulated engine failure and initiated the glide phase of the autorotation. When the examiner attempted to arrest the rate of descent by increasing engine power, he was unable to stop the helicopter prior to it impacting the ground. During the landing the helicopter’s skids and fuselage were substantially damaged. The pilots reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents4

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