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NTSB Report

January 15, 2001 · Bell 206B · N58WW

Mcminnville, OR

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
January 15, 2001
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Mcminnville, OR
Aircraft
Bell 206B
Tail Number
N58WW
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
SEA01LA044

During a telephone interview and a subsequent written statement, the instructor pilot reported that she and the student pilot were practicing power recovery autorotations. During the fifth practice autorotation, while descending through an altitude of approximately 200 feet AGL, the instructor pilot increased throttle and collective in an effort to slow the helicopter's decent rate and recover from the autorotation. Shortly thereafter, the pilot noted that the main rotor RPM was not increasing and that she had inadvertently applied only partial power for the recovery. The instructor pilot lowered collective, increased power and performed a straight-in run-on landing. The helicopter touched down 3-4 feet beyond the numbers on runway 35. During the run-on landing, the helicopter encountered a rough/uneven spot on the runway surface and came to an abrupt stop.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to apply adequate power during a practice autorotation. A factor contributing to the accident was a rough/uneven area on the asphalt landing surface.

Full Narrative

On January 15, 2001, about 1210 Pacific standard time, a low skid-equipped Bell 206B helicopter, N58WW, sustained substantial damage subsequent to a hard landing following a practice autorotation at McMinnville Municipal Airport, McMinnville, Oregon. The helicopter is owned by CRT Leasing of Tualatin, Oregon, and was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) instructional flight under Title 14 CFR Part 91, when the accident occurred. The certified flight instructor, and private pilot (airplane) receiving helicopter training, were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the local instructional flight. The flight originated from Aurora, Oregon, approximately one hour prior to the accident. There was no fire and no report of ELT activation. During a telephone interview on February 2, 2001, and a subsequent written statement, the instructor pilot reported that she and the student pilot were practicing power recovery autorotations at the McMinnville airport. During the fifth practice autorotation, while descending through an altitude of approximately 200 feet AGL, the instructor pilot increased throttle and collective in an effort to slow the helicopter's decent rate and recover from the autorotation. Shortly thereafter, the pilot noted that the main rotor RPM was not increasing and that she had inadvertently applied only partial power for the recovery. The instructor pilot lowered collective, increased power and performed a straight-in run-on landing. The helicopter touched down 3-4 feet beyond the numbers on runway 35. During the run-on landing, the helicopter encountered a rough/uneven spot on the runway surface and came to an abrupt stop. Post accident inspection revealed that the helicopter fuselage sustained substantial damage to both aft cross tube attach points and rear bulkhead.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:10 PST
Nearest AirportMc Minnville Muni (0nm)
Runway35
Runway Length4676 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBell 206B
Tail NumberN58WW
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboshaft
Engine DetailsRolls-Royce · 250-C20 · Turboshaft · 400
Seats5

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 30 · Second Class · None
Crew 2Age 34 · Third Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind332° @ 8 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 2200 ft
Temperature / Dew Point41 C / 34 C
Altimeter30.45 inHg
Observation Time19:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data