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NTSB Report

April 23, 2001 · Robinson R22 BETA · N806EH

Fortuna, CA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 23, 2001
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Fortuna, CA
Aircraft
Robinson R22 BETA
Tail Number
N806EH
Operator
Executive Helicopters
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX01LA156

The student pilot was practicing hover autorotation maneuvers. Three hover autorotations had been conducted jointly, with both the student and the flight instructor on the flight controls. The fourth attempt was to be done with only the student holding the fllight controls. According to the instructor, when he reduced the throttle to initiate the practice hover autorotation, the student lowered the collective so abruptly that he could not prevent a hard landing. After landing, the helicopter rolled onto its side.

NTSB Probable Cause

The student's improper procedure during a practice emergency that exceeded the instructor's reaction capability.

Full Narrative

On April 23, 2001, at 1600 hours Pacific daylight time, a Robinson R22 Beta, N806EH, rolled over while completing an autorotative landing in Fortuna, California. The helicopter sustained substantial damage; however, neither the certificated flight instructor nor his student were injured. Executive Helicopters, Inc., was operating the helicopter as an instructional flight under 14 CFR Part 91 when the accident occurred. The flight originated from the Sacramento Executive Airport about 1530. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan had been filed. The helicopter departed for a local instructional flight at Franklin Field in Fortuna. According to the instructor, they were in the process of practicing a series of over autorotations. The first three were conducted jointly. On the fourth hover autorotation the student abruptly lowered the collective as the instructor reduced the throttle and the helicopter touched down hard. The helicopter then rolled onto its side. The instructor stated that the student pushed the collective so quickly he had insufficient time to react. The pilot reported 580 hours of total flight time and 300 hours as an instructor. All flight time and instruction had been in the make and model. Winds at Sacramento were reported as from 320 degrees at 4 knots with 10 miles of visibility. In the operator's aircraft accident report, form 6120.1/2, he reported the total time on the airframe as 9,675 hours and it had been 93 hours since its last inspection. He also reported the helicopter damage. Both the main and tail rotor were damaged from the impact, and damage to the airframe, drive train, and tail boom was also evident.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:00 PDT
Nearest AirportFranklin Field (0nm)
Runway09
Runway Length3100 ft
Runway Width60 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftRobinson R22 BETA
Tail NumberN806EH
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
OperatorExecutive Helicopters
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-320 · Reciprocating · 160
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 26 · Second Class · None
Crew 2Age 21 · Second Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind210° @ 4 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point52
Altimeter30.17 inHg
Observation Time22:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data