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NTSB Report

October 29, 2005 · Robinson R-22 BETA · N8176B

Doylestown, PA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 29, 2005
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury), 1 uninjured
Location
Doylestown, PA
Aircraft
Robinson R-22 BETA
Tail Number
N8176B
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
NYC06LA019

The flight instructor and the student pilot were practicing hovering autorotations from about 3 feet above the ground. The student pilot "cut the throttle," and the helicopter descended. The flight instructor could not recall whether he or the student pilot was moving the collective pitch control. The helicopter subsequently impacted the ground "hard," and "started into a dynamic rollover." The flight instructor stated the helicopter's performance at the time of the accident was "fine," and an inspection of the helicopter by an FAA inspector revealed no mechanical abnormalities.

NTSB Probable Cause

The flight instructor's inadequate remedial action, which resulted in a hard landing and subsequent rollover.

Full Narrative

On October 29, 2005, at 1211 eastern standard time, a Robinson R22 Beta, N8176B, was substantially damaged during a hard landing and subsequent rollover at Doylestown Airport (DYL), Doylestown, Pennsylvania. The certificated flight instructor incurred minor injuries, and the certificated student pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the local instructional flight, which was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. According to the flight instructor, he and the student pilot were practicing hovering autorotations. They began by performing two or three autorotations about 1 foot above the ground, then climbed the helicopter to about 3 feet above the ground. The flight instructor recalled that the student pilot "cut the throttle," and the helicopter descended. He could not recall whether he or the student pilot was moving the collective pitch control. The helicopter impacted the ground hard, on the rear portion of the left skid and then "started into a dynamic rollover." When asked, the flight instructor stated that the helicopter was performing "fine" at the time of the accident. A Federal Aviation Administration inspector examined the helicopter following the accident, and noted no mechanical abnormalities. The weather reported at Doylestown Airport, at 1154, included winds from 350 degrees at 12 knots, an overcast ceiling at 6,000 feet, and 10 statute miles visibility.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:11 EDT
Nearest AirportDoylestown Airport (0nm)
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftRobinson R-22 BETA
Tail NumberN8176B
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320 · Reciprocating · 131
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury), 1 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured1
Total2
Crew 1Age 62 · First Class · Minor
Crew 2Age 21 · Second Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
Wind350° @ 12 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingOvercast 6000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point46 / 27 C
Altimeter30.25 inHg
Observation Time15:54
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data