Pilot Debrief

BELL 407 near Lancaster, TX — 2009-02-27

Final reportCEN09CA203
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Date
2009-02-27
Location
Lancaster, TX, USA
Airport
KLNC
Aircraft
BELL 407
Registration
N2592T
Category
Helicopter
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

The failure of the pilot to maintain adequate main rotor rpm and the failure of the CFI to provide appropriate instruction during the maneuver.

NTSB narrative

The commercial pilot was practicing a forced landing with a certified flight instructor (CFI) providing instruction. After the maneuver was initiated, the CFI recognized the helicopter was not settling quickly enough so he limited the amount of collective the commercial pilot could apply. As the helicopter slowed, the main rotor revolutions per minute (rpm) slowed. After the rear of the skids touched down the main rotor rpm continued to decay, and the front of the skids dropped eight to 10 inches onto the runway. During the landing two main rotor blades contacted both auxiliary fins on the tail boom. Examination of the damaged main rotor blades revealed substantial damage due to delamination and inner core damage on both blades.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 1 docket document
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents1

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