Pilot Debrief

BELL 206-L4 near Fort Worth, TX — 2013-05-10

Final reportCEN13CA276
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Date
2013-05-10
Location
Fort Worth, TX, USA
Airport
PVT
Aircraft
BELL 206-L4
Registration
N2036F
Category
Helicopter
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

The flight instructor's inadequate supervision and delayed remedial action during a practice autorotation, which resulted in a hard landing.

NTSB narrative

The pilot receiving instruction was performing a practice right 180-degree autorotation. During the approach, the airspeed decreased to about 40 knots, which shortened the approach angle. At 8 to 10 feet above the ground, the flight instructor advised the pilot to apply forward cyclic while maintaining the collective position. The flight instructor then "used what was left of the rotor rpm to cushion the landing." During the touchdown, the helicopter landed hard, which resulted in structural damage to the tailboom. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 1 docket document
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents1

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