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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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NTSB Report

August 25, 2005 · Robinson R22 · N777UH

Falcon, CO

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 25, 2005
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 minor injuries)
Location
Falcon, CO
Aircraft
Robinson R22
Tail Number
N777UH
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
DEN05LA130

The pilot said he was conducting a hovering maneuver. He said everything was normal until the helicopter was in a 5 foot hover above the surface moving at a "fast walking pace". The helicopter descended to approximately 2 feet above the surface when the pilot pulled in more power to arrest the descent. The helicopter skipped off of the surface, the low-rotor warning light illuminated, and the aural horn sounded. The helicopter turned to the right, impacting the right skid, then bounced back to the left skid, and rolled over on its left side. The pilot stated that he could smell fuel so his passenger turned off the fuel switch while he turned off all electrical switches. He also stated that he could not get his seatbelt unbuckled because it was too close to the collective. He eventually ripped the collective up to release the seatbelt buckle.

NTSB Probable Cause

the pilot's failure to maintain control of the helicopter while conducting a hovering maneuver.

Full Narrative

On August 25, 2005, approximately 1700 mountain daylight time, a Robinson R22, N777UH, piloted by a private pilot, was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain at Meadow Lake Airport (00V), near Falcon, Colorado. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The personal flight was being conducted under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91 on a visual flight rules flight plan. The pilot and passenger sustained minor injuries. The cross-country flight originated at Augusta, Kansas, at 1000, and was en route to Denver, Colorado. According to the pilot, he was conducting a hovering maneuver. He said everything was normal until the helicopter was in a 5 foot hover above the surface moving at a "fast walking pace". The helicopter descended to approximately 2 feet above the surface when the pilot pulled in more power to arrest the descent. The helicopter skipped off of the surface, the low-rotor warning light illuminated, and the aural horn sounded. The helicopter turned to the right, the right skid struck the ground, then bounced back on to its left skid, and rolled over on its left side. The pilot stated that he could smell fuel so his passenger turned off the fuel switch while he turned off all the electrical switches. He stated that he could not get his seatbelt unbuckled because it was too close to the collective. He eventually ripped the collective up to release the seatbelt buckle. According to an FAA inspector who traveled to the scene, both rotor blades were destroyed, the airframe was bent, the tail boom was twisted, both skids were bent, the firewall was buckled, the collective stop was broken, and the tail rotor shaft and flex plate were twisted.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time17:00 MDT
Nearest AirportMeadow Lake Airport (0nm)
Flight Plan FiledVFR
Flight Plan ActivatedUnknown
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftRobinson R22
Tail NumberN777UH
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · 360 J2A · Reciprocating · 145
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (2 minor injuries)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor2
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 49 · Second Class · Minor
Crew 2Age 24 · Third Class · Minor

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind10° @ 17 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point48
Altimeter30.18 inHg
Observation Time22:54
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data