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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

January 5, 2007 · Enstrom F28A · N764PC

Bruceville, TX

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
January 5, 2007
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Bruceville, TX
Aircraft
Enstrom F28A
Tail Number
N764PC
Operator
Vista Aviation
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
DFW07CA053

The 1,425-hour helicopter rated flight instructor and a 130-hour private helicopter pilot lifted-off in the piston-engine powered helicopter for a local instructional flight. The flight instructor planned to demonstrate "a hovering autorotation with forward speed." The instructor reported that "after initiating the maneuver, [he] failed to level the aircraft, [and] as the aircraft descended ... the toes of the landing skids contacted the ground." The helicopter continued rotating forward until the main rotor blades impacted the ground. As the helicopter rocked back, the main rotor blades then struck the tail-rotor driveshaft. In the Recommendation section of the NTSB Form 6120.1 (How could this accident have been prevented ?), the flight instructor stated that the accident could have been prevented if "the aircraft had no forward speed", "if aircraft touched down in a level attitude, or if the maneuver had been performed over a hard surface."

NTSB Probable Cause

The instructor pilot's improper demonstration of an autorotation, resulting in the helicopter's main rotor blades impacting the ground.

Full Narrative

The 1,425-hour helicopter rated flight instructor and a 130-hour private helicopter pilot lifted-off in the piston-engine powered helicopter for a local instructional flight. The flight instructor planned to demonstrate "a hovering autorotation with forward speed." The instructor reported that "after initiating the maneuver, [he] failed to level the aircraft, [and] as the aircraft descended ... the toes of the landing skids contacted the ground." The helicopter continued rotating forward until the main rotor blades impacted the ground. As the helicopter rocked back, the main rotor blades then struck the tail-rotor driveshaft. In the Recommendation section of the NTSB Form 6120.1 (How could this accident have been prevented ?), the flight instructor stated that the accident could have been prevented if "the aircraft had no forward speed", "if aircraft touched down in a level attitude, or if the maneuver had been performed over a hard surface."

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:30 CST
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftEnstrom F28A
Tail NumberN764PC
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
OperatorVista Aviation
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-360 · Reciprocating
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 29 · Second Class · None
Crew 2Age 41 · Second Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind180° @ 5 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point61 F / 45 C
Altimeter30.20 inHg
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data