Pilot Debrief

ROBINSON HELICOPTER R22 BETA near Palo Alto, CA — 2012-03-15

Final reportWPR12LA140
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Date
2012-03-15
Location
Palo Alto, CA, USA
Airport
PAO
Aircraft
ROBINSON HELICOPTER R22 BETA
Registration
N290SH
Category
Helicopter
Highest injury
Minor
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Approach

Probable cause

The pilot's improper use of the throttle grip, which resulted in the deactivation of the rpm governor and a loss of rotor rpm.

NTSB narrative

During a solo instructional flight, the pilot reported that while on the downwind leg of the traffic pattern, just before turning to the base leg, the helicopter sustained a loss of rotor rpm. The pilot reported that he entered an autorotation and that the throttle was unresponsive. After landing in a marsh area, the helicopter rolled over. A postaccident examination of the helicopter and a successful engine run revealed no evidence of mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot's flight instructor related that the pilot had a documented history of inadvertently gripping the throttle on the collective which, while manipulating the collective, would result in overriding the governor and a low rotor condition.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Engine power loss
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have checked for carburetor icing before flight.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 7 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents7

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