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NTSB Report

May 16, 1998 · Robinson R22B · N2332G

San Jose, CA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 16, 1998
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
San Jose, CA
Aircraft
Robinson R22B
Tail Number
N2332G
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX98LA160

The flight instructor and the commercial rated pilot were practicing slope landings. The student stated that as she set the helicopter down it didn't feel right, and she attempted to abort the landing by pulling in full collective. The helicopter became airborne and the main rotor rpm decreased to the point where the low rotor rpm horn and light were activated. The flight instructor reported that he took the controls and recovered the rotor rpm to 92 percent. He attempted to cushion the landing but the helicopter landed hard on the forward portion of the left skid. The left skid tip impacted the berm and the helicopter rolled onto its left side. There was no report of prior mechanical malfunctions.

NTSB Probable Cause

The student pilot's failure to maintain adequate rotor rpm, and the flight instructor's inadequate supervision of the flight.

Full Narrative

On May 16, 1998, at 1048 hours Pacific daylight time, a Robinson R22B, N2332G, impacted the terrain and rolled over at the Reid-Hillview Airport in San Jose, California. The aircraft sustained substantial damage and the certified flight instructor and dual student were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The local instructional flight originated at 1010. The certified flight instructor reported that he and the commercial rated pilot were working on traffic patterns and had made several practice landings to a 10-degree slope. At the time of the accident, the student was on the controls. She reported that as she set the helicopter down, "it didn't feel right," and she attempted to abort the landing by pulling in full collective and applying aft cyclic. The helicopter became airborne and the main rotor rpm decreased to the point where the low rotor rpm horn and light were activated. The flight instructor reported that he lowered the collective, rolled on the throttle, and neutralized the pedals. The instructor reported that the rotor rpm was recovered to approximately 92 percent. He then applied aft cyclic and lifted the collective to cushion the landing. The helicopter landed hard on the forward portion of the left skid. The skid tip impacted the berm and the helicopter rolled onto its left side. The pilot reported no prior mechanical malfunctions with the aircraft.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time10:48 PDT
Nearest AirportReid-Hillview (0nm)
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftRobinson R22B
Tail NumberN2332G
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
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 50 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind270° @ 5 kt
Visibility20 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 3000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point55 / 46
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time00:48
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data