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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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March 19, 1987 · Mcdonnell Douglas 369E · N1601Y

Phoenix, AZ

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
March 19, 1987
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Phoenix, AZ
Aircraft
Mcdonnell Douglas 369E
Tail Number
N1601Y
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX87LA157

DURING FACTORY FLT TRAINING, PRIOR TO DELIVERY OF THE NEW HELICOPTER TO THE OWNER, THE CFI SAID HE ASKED THE STUDENT TO PERFORM A SERIES OF EMERGENCY PROCEDURES WHICH INCLUDED QUICK STOPS FROM AN INITIAL TAKEOFF FOLLOWED BY HOVERING AUTOROTATIONS. THE CFI SAID THE STUDENT SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED ONE SERIES OF MANEUVERS AND HE ASKED HIM TO DO ONE MORE. THE CFI SAID THAT DURING THE DECELERATION PHASE OF THE QUICK STOP, THE STUDENT MISTAKENLY 'ROLLED THE THROTTLE TO THE IDLE POSITION' AT ABOUT 25 FT AGL. THE CFI SAID THAT HE IMMEDIATELY ASSUMED CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT, ROLLED THE THROTTLE TO THE FULL OPEN POSITION AND ATTEMPTED TO ENTER AN AUTO ROTATION, HOWEVER, INSUFFICIENT ENERGY REMAINED IN THE ROTOR TO FULLY ARREST THE DESCENT RATE PRIOR TO TOUCHDOWN.

Full Narrative

DURING FACTORY FLT TRAINING, PRIOR TO DELIVERY OF THE NEW HELICOPTER TO THE OWNER, THE CFI SAID HE ASKED THE STUDENT TO PERFORM A SERIES OF EMERGENCY PROCEDURES WHICH INCLUDED QUICK STOPS FROM AN INITIAL TAKEOFF FOLLOWED BY HOVERING AUTOROTATIONS. THE CFI SAID THE STUDENT SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED ONE SERIES OF MANEUVERS AND HE ASKED HIM TO DO ONE MORE. THE CFI SAID THAT DURING THE DECELERATION PHASE OF THE QUICK STOP, THE STUDENT MISTAKENLY 'ROLLED THE THROTTLE TO THE IDLE POSITION' AT ABOUT 25 FT AGL. THE CFI SAID THAT HE IMMEDIATELY ASSUMED CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT, ROLLED THE THROTTLE TO THE FULL OPEN POSITION AND ATTEMPTED TO ENTER AN AUTO ROTATION, HOWEVER, INSUFFICIENT ENERGY REMAINED IN THE ROTOR TO FULLY ARREST THE DESCENT RATE PRIOR TO TOUCHDOWN.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time09:20 MST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftMcdonnell Douglas 369E
Tail NumberN1601Y
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboshaft
Engine DetailsAllison · 250-C20B · Turboshaft · 375
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 39 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind140° @ 10 kt
Visibility50 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point61 F / 37 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time15:45
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data