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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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January 12, 1994 · Robinson R-22 · N8044Y

Dorado, PR

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
January 12, 1994
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Dorado, PR
Aircraft
Robinson R-22
Tail Number
N8044Y
Operator
Hill Aviation
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
MIA94LA049

THE STUDENT INITIATED A 180 DEG AUTOROTATION WITH TURN AND OVERSHOT THE INTENDED TOUCHDOWN POINT. THE INSTRUCTOR ALLOWED THE STUDENT TO CONTINUE THE MANEUVER TO A GRASSY AREA LOCATED TO THE RIGHT OF THE INTENDED TOUCHDOWN POINT. THE POWER RECOVERY PROCEDURES LISTED IN THE FLIGHT TRAINING GUIDE WERE NOT FOLLOWED. A POWER RECOVERY (INCREASE IN THROTTLE), AND INITIAL COLLECTIVE PITCH APPLICATION WAS MADE ABOUT 4-6 FT AGL ABOVE 3-FT TALL GRASS. THE PILOT STATED THE ENGINE DID NOT RESPOND. THE HELICOPTER COLLIDED WITH THE TERRAIN AND ROLLED OVER ON ITS RIGHT SIDE. AN ENGINE EXAMINATION AND ENGINE RUN DID NOT REVEAL ANY EVIDENCE OF A MECHANICAL FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION.

NTSB Probable Cause

THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR'S INADEQUATE SUPERVISION OF THE STUDENT AND FAILING TO FOLLOW THE PROCEDURES IN THE FLIGHT TRAINING GUIDE.

Full Narrative

On January 12, 1994, about 1415 Atlantic standard time, a Robinson R22, N8044Y, registered to Hill Construction Corporation, doing business as Hill Aviation, operating as a 14 CFR Part 91 instructional flight, crashed while terminating an autorotation with turn and a power recovery. The helicopter sustained substantial damage. The certified flight instructor and student pilot were not injured. The flight originated about 45 minutes before the accident. The certified flight instructor (CFI) stated the student pilot initiated a 180 degree autorotation with turn at about 500 feet agl. The intended touchdown point was a dirt road. The student pilot overshot the turn while at about 90 feet agl. The CFI allowed the maneuver to continue to a grassy area located to the right of the dirt road. A flare was initiated at about 40 feet agl. A power recovery (increase in throttle), and initial collective pitch application was made at about 4 to 6 feet agl above 3 foot tall grass. The throttle did not respond. The CFI got on the flight controls with the student pilot. The helicopter collided the ground with about 12 to 15 knots forward airspeed, and rolled over on it's right side. An engine examination and engine run was conducted by the FAA on January 13, 1994. There was no evidence of a mechanical failure or malfunction. The Robinson R22 Flight Training Guide states on page 23: NOTE As the aircraft descends through 100 feet AGL, make an immediate power recovery if the following conditions do not exist: 1. Aircraft aligned with the touchdown point 2. Rotor RPM in the green 3. Airspeed 60 to 70 KTS 4. Rate of descent less than 1500 FPM

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:15 AST
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftRobinson R-22
Tail NumberN8044Y
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
OperatorHill Aviation
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-B2C · Reciprocating · 160
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 28 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind70°
Visibility13 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point68 F
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time18:57
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data