Pilot Debrief

ROBINSON HELICOPTER R22 near Sacramento, CA — 2017-08-29

Final reportGAA17CA514
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Date
2017-08-29
Location
Sacramento, CA, USA
Airport
SAC
Aircraft
ROBINSON HELICOPTER R22
Registration
N622MP
Category
Helicopter
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

The student pilot’s failure to maintain yaw control and the flight instructor’s delayed remedial action.

NTSB narrative

The helicopter flight instructor reported that the student was practicing quick-stops on the taxiway. The student was hovering with a tailwind and began to accelerate when the helicopter started a "fast yaw to the right." He added that they stopped the acceleration, checked the engine gauges, and then accelerated again. As the helicopter was going through effective translational lift, it spun to the right. The flight instructor took the flight controls, noticed the rpm was high, and reduced the throttle. The helicopter impacted the ground backward and slid before coming to rest. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the vertical stabilizer. The flight instructor reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation. A review of recorded data from the automated weather observation station located on the airport reported that, about 37 minutes before the accident, the wind was from 190° at 7 knots. The helicopter was taxiing to the north.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents2

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