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NTSB Report

March 15, 2008 · Robinson R22 BETA · N489TJ

Horseshoe Bay, TX

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
March 15, 2008
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury), 1 uninjured
Location
Horseshoe Bay, TX
Aircraft
Robinson R22 BETA
Tail Number
N489TJ
Operator
Kent Leighton
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
DFW08CA082

During a flight review the private pilot completed three practice autorotations to an unimproved open field, terminating in a power recovery. During the fourth practice autorotation the pilot could not get the engine to respond during the power recovery. The flight instructor took over the controls, at about 100 feet above ground level, and completed the autorotation to a touchdown. According to the flight instructor, he had to flare steeply to avoid a tree line. The helicopter touched down on the heels of the skids and tail stinger. The aft section of the tail boom separated from the helicopter when the main rotor blades contacted the tail boom and the tail rotor assembly. The pilot said the flight instructor initiated an aggressive flare and struck the ground hard, and that there was a violent shudder as the helicopter leveled the skids. The helicopter came to rest upright. There was no post crash fire. The pilot reported a minor injury and the flight instructor reported no injuries. An examination of the helicopter's engine by Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspectors did not reveal any pre-impact anomalies; additionally they reported that more than a half tank of fuel remained in the helicopter at the accident site.

NTSB Probable Cause

The certified flight instructor's delay in taking remedial action which resulted in an unsuccessful autorotation.

Full Narrative

During a flight review the private pilot completed three practice autorotations to an unimproved open field, terminating in a power recovery. During the forth practice autorotation the pilot could not get the engine to respond during the power recovery. The flight instructor took over the controls, at about 100 feet above ground level, and completed the autorotation to a touchdown. According to the flight instructor, he had to flare steeply to avoid a tree line. The helicopter touched down on the heels of the skids and tail stinger. The aft section of the tail boom separated from the helicopter when the main rotor blades contacted the tail boom and the tail rotor assembly. The pilot said the flight instructor initiated an aggressive flare and struck the ground hard, and that there was a violent shudder as the helicopter leveled the skids. The helicopter came to rest upright. There was no post crash fire. The pilot reported a minor injury and the flight instructor reported no injuries. An examination of the helicopter's engine by Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspectors did not reveal any pre-impact anomalies; additionally they reported that more than a half tank of fuel remained in the helicopter at the accident site.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time18:00 CDT
Nearest AirportHorseshoe Bay (3nm)
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftRobinson R22 BETA
Tail NumberN489TJ
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
OperatorKent Leighton
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-360-J2A · Reciprocating · 180
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury), 1 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured1
Total2
Crew 1Age 59 · Third Class · None
Crew 2Age 19 · Second Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind40° @ 9 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point37 C
Altimeter29.84 inHg
Observation Time21:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data