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NTSB Report
July 30, 1993 · Robinson R-22 · N549SM
Verdi, NV
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 30, 1993
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Verdi, NV
Aircraft
Robinson R-22
Tail Number
N549SM
Operator
Helicopter Adventures
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX93LA308
THE HELICOPTER WAS ONE OF A FLIGHT OF FOUR HELICOPTERS CONDUCTING A MOUNTAIN FLYING COURSE WHICH CONSISTED OF EXECUTING PINNACLE LANDINGS AND TAKEOFFS. THE CFI ALLOWED THE DUAL STUDENT TO FOLLOW ANOTHER HELICOPTER ON ITS DEPARTURE FROM THE PINNACLE. THE HELICOPTER ENCOUNTERED THE PRECEDING HELICOPTER'S ROTOR WASH AND IMMEDIATELY TURNED RIGHT. THE STUDENT APPLIED LEFT PEDAL CORRECTIVE ACTION, BUT THE MAIN ROTOR RPM'S BEGAN TO DECAY. THE CFI ASSUMED THE CONTROLS AND IMMEDIATELY LOWERED THE COLLECTIVE AND APPLIED FULL THROTTLE, BUT THE REAR SKIDS STRUCK THE GROUND. THE CFI WAS ABLE TO REGAIN A LEVEL ATTITUDE, BUT THE HELICOPTER STRUCK SOME ROCKS AND CRASHED.
NTSB Probable Cause
THE INSTRUCTOR'S IMPROPER SUPERVISION OF THE FLIGHT; THE DUAL STUDENT'S IMPROPER IN-FLIGHT DECISION TO FOLLOW ANOTHER HELICOPTER ON DEPARTURE AND THE DUAL STUDENTS DELAY IN CORRECTING THE INADVERTENT YAW. FACTORS RELATED TO THIS ACCIDENT WAS THE INADVERTENT ENCOUNTER WITH THE WAKE TURBULENCE FROM THE PRECEDING DEPARTING HELICOPTER; THE DUAL STUDENT'S IMPROPER USE OF THE THROTTLE AND THE DUAL STUDENTS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE ROTOR RPM.
Full Narrative
THE HELICOPTER WAS ONE OF A FLIGHT OF FOUR HELICOPTERS CONDUCTING A MOUNTAIN FLYING COURSE WHICH CONSISTED OF EXECUTING PINNACLE LANDINGS AND TAKEOFFS. THE CFI ALLOWED THE DUAL STUDENT TO FOLLOW ANOTHER HELICOPTER ON ITS DEPARTURE FROM THE PINNACLE. THE HELICOPTER ENCOUNTERED THE PRECEDING HELICOPTER'S ROTOR WASH AND IMMEDIATELY TURNED RIGHT. THE STUDENT APPLIED LEFT PEDAL CORRECTIVE ACTION, BUT THE MAIN ROTOR RPM'S BEGAN TO DECAY. THE CFI ASSUMED THE CONTROLS AND IMMEDIATELY LOWERED THE COLLECTIVE AND APPLIED FULL THROTTLE, BUT THE REAR SKIDS STRUCK THE GROUND. THE CFI WAS ABLE TO REGAIN A LEVEL ATTITUDE, BUT THE HELICOPTER STRUCK SOME ROCKS AND CRASHED.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:29 PDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftRobinson R-22
Tail NumberN549SM
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
OperatorHelicopter Adventures
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 24 · First Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility30 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point39 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Weather SourcePILO