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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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NTSB Report

November 22, 1994 · Robinson R-22B · N31MK

Honolulu, HI

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
November 22, 1994
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 minor injuries)
Location
Honolulu, HI
Aircraft
Robinson R-22B
Tail Number
N31MK
Operator
Rainbow Pacific Helicopters L
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX95LA039

THE STUDENT PILOT WAS TAKING A PRIVATE PILOT PRACTICAL FLIGHT TEST WITH A DESIGNATED EXAMINER ON BOARD. ACCORDING TO THE EXAMINER, THE APPLICANT COMPLETED THE FIRST PART OF THE PRACTICAL TEST SATISFACTORILY. THE LAST MANEUVER TO BE PERFORMED WAS A RECOVERY FROM A 180-DEGREE AUTOROTATION. THE APPLICANT ENTERED THE MANEUVER SATISFACTORILY; HOWEVER, AT THE BOTTOM HAD ALLOWED THE MAIN ROTOR RPM TO DECAY AND BEGAN TO ADD COLLECTIVE INPUT WITHOUT ADEQUATE THROTTLE INPUT. THE EXAMINER SAID HE TOOK CONTROL OF THE HELICOPTER, BUT COULD NOT REGAIN MAIN ROTOR RPM PRIOR TO GROUND IMPACT.

NTSB Probable Cause

the student pilot's improper use of the collective and throttle controls and his failure to maintain adequate main rotor rpm during a practice autorotation.

Full Narrative

On November 22, 1994, at 1330 Hawaii standard time, a Robinson R22B helicopter, N31MK, collided with the ground at the Honolulu International Airport, Honolulu, Hawaii, while performing a practice autorotation. The aircraft was owned and operated by Rainbow Pacific Helicopters, Ltd., of Honolulu, Hawaii, and was engaged in a private pilot practical flight test with a designated examiner on board. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The aircraft incurred substantial damage. The private pilot applicant and the examiner sustained minor injuries. The flight originated at the Honolulu International Airport on the day of the accident at 1230 as a local area flight. According to a written statement from the examiner, the applicant completed the first part of the practical test satisfactorily. The last maneuver to be performed was a recovery from a 180-degree autorotation. The applicant entered the maneuver satisfactorily; however, at the bottom had allowed the main rotor rpm to decay and began to add collective input without adequate throttle input. The examiner said he took control of the helicopter, but could not regain main rotor rpm prior to ground impact.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:30 HST
Nearest AirportHonolulu International (0nm)
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftRobinson R-22B
Tail NumberN31MK
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
OperatorRainbow Pacific Helicopters L
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-B2C · Reciprocating · 160
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (2 minor injuries)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor2
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 27 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind60° @ 16 kt
Visibility20 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 25000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point64 F
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time22:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data