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April 14, 2004 · Robinson R22 · N555UH

Nephi, UT

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 14, 2004
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Nephi, UT
Aircraft
Robinson R22
Tail Number
N555UH
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
DEN04CA061

The flight instructor said, while practicing 180 degree autorotations, and "at approximately 150 feet agl, [the] descent rate increase[d] dramatically.' The flight instructor stated that he attempted to recover and flare with aft cyclic and down collective. He then added full throttle and raised the collective, in an attempt to land in a "skid level attitude." The helicopter, however, struck the ground hard, collapsing both skids and allowing the main rotor blade to sever the tail boom. The helicopter rotated "three or four times" before coming to rest off of the left side of the runway. An examination of the helicopters systems revealed no anomalies.

NTSB Probable Cause

the flight instructor's failure to maintain control of the helicopter resulting in a hard landing.

Full Narrative

On April 14, 2004, at approximately 0930 mountain daylight time, a Robinson R22, N555UH, was substantially damaged during a hard landing at Nephi, Utah. The flight instructor and pilot receiving instruction were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. No flight plan had been filed for the flight being conducted under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91. The cross-country flight had departed Provo, Utah, at 0800. According to the flight instructor, they were practicing 180 degree autorotations and had just successfully completed one. Prior to the second maneuver, the pre-landing checks were completed and the maneuver was entered at an altitude of 700 feet agl and at an airspeed of 75 knots. The flight instructor stated "at approximately 150 feet agl, [the] decent rate increase[d] dramatically." He said that he attempted to recover and flare with "aft cyclic and down collective" with no effect. He added full throttle and "raised" collective, in attempt to land in a "skid level attitude." During the impact with the ground, both skids collapsed and the main rotor blade severed the tail boom. The helicopter rotated "three or four times" before coming to rest off of the left side of the runway. An examination of the systems revealed no anomalies.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time09:30 MDT
Nearest AirportNephi Municipal Airport (0nm)
Runway16
Runway Length4700 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftRobinson R22
Tail NumberN555UH
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-360-J2A · Reciprocating · 145
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 37 · Second Class · None
Crew 2Third Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind140° @ 6 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point59 / 27 C
Altimeter29.90 inHg
Observation Time15:35
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data