Pilot Debrief

Robinson R22 near Lincoln Park, NJ — 2019-05-02

Final reportWPR19TA131
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Date
2019-05-02
Location
Lincoln Park, NJ, USA
Airport
N07
Aircraft
Robinson R22
Registration
N7532R
Category
Helicopter
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Hover

Probable cause

The flight instructor's failure to maintain control of the helicopter while transitioning from a hover to forward flight, which resulted in a loss of control.

NTSB narrative

The flight instructor was conducting an introductory flight with the student pilot. After an approximate 40-minute flight, with the helicopter in a stable hover about 5 to 10 ft above ground level, the instructor initiated a hover taxi to the parking area. The instructor recalled that he heard the low rotor rpm warning horn sound, and the helicopter simultaneously began a violent yaw to the right while the nose pitched up. The instructor further stated that he immediately attempted to regain control by rolling the throttle to idle to arrest the yaw. Despite his efforts, the tail rotor impacted the ground, and the helicopter began to spin more rapidly, completing numerous 360° rotations. The helicopter came to rest on its right side. Examination of the helicopter revealed no evidence of mechanical malfunction or failures that would have precluded normal operation. The circumstances of the accident are consistent with the instructor’s failure to maintain yaw control while transitioning to forward flight.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Human factors
First missed decision gate
Instructor could have monitored rotor rpm more closely before attempting to taxi.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Photos
  • 3 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents3

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