Pilot Debrief

ROBINSON HELICOPTER R22 BETA near Mack, CO — 2010-08-14

Final reportCEN10CA485
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Date
2010-08-14
Location
Mack, CO, USA
Airport
C07
Aircraft
ROBINSON HELICOPTER R22 BETA
Registration
N404LE
Category
Helicopter
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

The flight instructor's failure to maintain control of the helicopter during a practice autorotation, which resulted in a hard landing.

NTSB narrative

The certificated flight instructor (CFI) and his student were practicing a 180-degree autorotation with a power recovery occurring at the hover. The helicopter's sink rate increased dramatically in the flare, about 40 feet above the ground. The CFI initiated a go-around by increasing power, raising the collective, and pushing the cyclic forward. The helicopter continued to descend and contacted the runway in a level attitude. After it came to a stop, the CFI confirmed that the main rotor blade had struck the tail boom. The instructor reported that there were no preimpact mechanical deficiencies with the helicopter.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 1 docket document
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents1

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