Pilot Debrief

Robinson R22 Beta near North Palm Bch, FL — 2008-01-08

Final reportNYC08LA078
Sign in to save
Date
2008-01-08
Location
North Palm Bch, FL, USA
Aircraft
Robinson R22 Beta
Registration
N179SH
Category
Helicopter
Highest injury
Serious
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Cruise

Probable cause

A loss of engine power due to carburetor icing. Contributing to the accident was unsuitable terrain for a forced landing.

NTSB narrative

The helicopter was transitioning along a beach at 500 feet and 80 knots. The certificated student pilot had just contacted an air traffic control tower when the engine appeared to lose power. The student pilot raised the collective, but the situation "worsened," and he noticed a slight yaw. The student pilot then lowered the collective, and turned the helicopter left, into the wind. He subsequently completed an autorotation into the surf. The student pilot noted that prior to the loss of engine power, he didn't notice any unusual vibrations or noises, but did notice a "significant loss of power which resulted in an immediate loss of altitude." He also noted that it felt like "the sinking and yawing one experiences when settling with power." A postflight examination of the helicopter revealed no mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. Utilizing the ambient temperature and dew point, a carburetor icing probability chart produced by the National Research Council of Canada indicated a probability of "serious icing at glide power," while another chart in the FAA's Tips on Winter Flying pamphlet indicated that carburetor icing conditions bordered between "serious icing - glide power" and "light icing - glide or cruise power."

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Engine power loss
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have checked fuel quantity more thoroughly before departure.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 5 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents5

Related mishaps