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NTSB Report

July 5, 2004 · Robinson R22 Mariner · N856HA

Hillsboro, OR

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 5, 2004
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury), 1 uninjured
Location
Hillsboro, OR
Aircraft
Robinson R22 Mariner
Tail Number
N856HA
Operator
Hillsboro Aviation
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
SEA04CA122

The flight instructor reported that they were in the process of practicing "maximum performance takeoff abort - backwards." The student was on the controls during the maximum performance takeoff phase to an altitude of about 150 feet above ground level, and the instructor took over the controls to demonstrate the abort procedures. The instructor took the controls just prior to call for the abort. When the abort phase began, the instructor applied aft cyclic and slightly lowered the collective. The helicopter had been in a tail low attitude and started to descend into "settling with power." The instructor applied forward cyclic and lowered the collective, however the helicopter did not have sufficient altitude to level out or gain airspeed to recover before impacting the ground on the right side skid. The helicopter pivoted around about 180 degrees then rolled over onto its left side.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control resulting in an uncontrolled descent and subsequent roll over. Low altitude flight and the pilot's encounter with settling with power were contributing factors.

Full Narrative

On July 5, 2004, at 1500 Pacific daylight time, a Robinson R-22 Mariner, N856HA, registered to and operated by Hillsboro Aviation as a 14 CFR Part 91 instructional flight, experienced a hard landing followed by a rollover at the Portland-Hillsboro Airport, Hillsboro, Oregon. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the local instructional flight. The helicopter was substantially damaged and the certified flight instructor was not injured, while the commercial pilot (student) received minor injuries. In a written statement, the flight instructor reported that they were in the process of practicing "maximum performance takeoff abort - backwards." The student was on the controls during the maximum performance takeoff phase to an altitude of about 150 feet above ground level, and the instructor took over the controls to demonstrate the abort procedures. The instructor took the controls just prior to call for the abort. When the abort phase began, the instructor applied aft cyclic and slightly lowered the collective. The helicopter had been in a tail low attitude and started to descend into "settling with power." The instructor applied forward cyclic and lowered the collective, however the helicopter did not have sufficient altitude to level out or gain airspeed to recover before impacting the ground on the right side skid. The helicopter pivoted around about 180 degrees then rolled over onto its left side.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:00 PDT
Nearest AirportPortland-Hillsboro (0nm)
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo

Aircraft

AircraftRobinson R22 Mariner
Tail NumberN856HA
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
OperatorHillsboro Aviation
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-B2C · Reciprocating

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury), 1 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured1
Total2
Crew 1Age 33 · First Class
Crew 2Age 34 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0

Appendix: Source Data