Pilot Debrief

ROBINSON HELICOPTER R22 BETA near Hibbing, MN — 2011-10-04

Final reportCEN12CA009
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Date
2011-10-04
Location
Hibbing, MN, USA
Airport
HIB
Aircraft
ROBINSON HELICOPTER R22 BETA
Registration
N4170M
Category
Helicopter
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

The private pilot's failure to maintain control of the helicopter during the landing flare.

NTSB narrative

The student held a private pilot certificate with a helicopter rating and was receiving instruction toward a commercial helicopter pilot certificate when the accident occurred. According to the instructor, the student pulled aft cyclic too early while beginning a landing flare following a practice autorotation. This resulted in an increase in main rotor rpm and a decrease in airspeed. The instructor then adjusted the throttle in an attempt to decrease the rpm. The instructor stated that the student then applied excessive left pedal, which resulted in the helicopter making a 180-degree turn while the helicopter was six feet above the ground. The instructor stated that he then decreased the collective and put the helicopter on the ground before the situation worsened. The helicopter contacted the ground as it skidded backward, resulting in substantial damage to the tail boom.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 1 docket document
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents1

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