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NTSB Report

February 22, 2005 · Robinson Helicopter R22 · N780SH

Spanish Fork, UT

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
February 22, 2005
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Spanish Fork, UT
Aircraft
Robinson Helicopter R22
Tail Number
N780SH
Operator
Silver State Helicopters
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
DEN05LA061

The flight instructor and private certificated student pilot had been practicing simulated autorotation maneuvers from an altitude of 800 feet agl. They set up for the third simulated autorotation from an altitude of 700 feet agl, and the instructor advised the student to tighten the turn to compensate for the lower altitude. Approximately 90 degrees into the turn, the instructor noticed that the airspeed was high. The student began the landing flare and the helicopter began to shutter. At that point, the instructor assumed control, but could not arrest the descent rate, nor decrease the airspeed. The instructor applied forward cyclic and the helicopter contacted the runway and bounced approximately 10 feet into the air. The helicopter sustained substantial damage as a result of ground impact.

NTSB Probable Cause

the student's failure to maintain control of the helicopter. Contributing factors were high airspeed, high rate of descent, the instructor's delay in taking remedial action, and the instructor's inadequate supervision of the flight.

Full Narrative

On February 22, 2005, approximately 0840 mountain standard time, a Robinson Helicopter Company R22, N780SH, operated by Silver State Helicopters, Inc. was substantially damaged during a hard landing at Spanish Fork-Springville Airport (U77), Spanish Fork, Utah. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The instructional flight was being operated under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91 without a flight plan. The flight instructor and his student reported no injuries. The local flight originated at 0730. According to the accident report submitted by the flight instructor, he and his private certificated student were practicing 180 degree simulated autorotation maneuvers at U77. The first two maneuvers were performed on runway 12 at 800 feet agl, airspeed 70 knots. As they set up the helicopter for the third simulated autorotation, the instructor noted that the altitude was 700 feet agl and he explained to the student that he "would have to turn it a little bit tighter due to the 100' less of altitude." In the last 90 degrees of turn, the student "allowed the nose to drop and the airspeed increased to 80 knots." The student flared for landing and the "helicopter began to cavitate." The instructor assumed control, trying to dissipate airspeed and decrease the high rate of descent that had developed. As the instructor continued the flare, the helicopter shutter increased and rate of sink continued. The instructor applied forward cyclic and the helicopter contacted the runway and bounced approximately 10 feet into the air. The instructor then hovered the helicopter to a safe location where the engine could be shut down. The tail boom was bent down during the impact, wrinkling the bottom portion of the number 2 bay. Both skid cross tubes were bent up towards the fuselage and aft. A post-accident examination of the helicopter systems, conducted by the FAA, revealed no anomalies.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time08:40 MST
Nearest AirportSpanish Fork-Springville (0nm WNW)
Runway12
Runway Length5700 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledCvfr
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftRobinson Helicopter R22
Tail NumberN780SH
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
OperatorSilver State Helicopters
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 24 · First Class · None
Crew 2Age 21 · Second Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point37 C / 34 C
Altimeter30.05 inHg
Observation Time15:35
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data