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NTSB Report

June 2, 2008 · Schweizer 300C · N1510A

Ogden, UT

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 2, 2008
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury), 1 uninjured
Location
Ogden, UT
Aircraft
Schweizer 300C
Tail Number
N1510A
Operator
High Desert Helicopters
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX08CA138

The instructor pilot and the private pilot under instruction arrived at the location where they were going to practice pinnacle approaches and landings. They reconnoitered the area at 300 feet above ground level (agl) in preparation for landing. They performed a power check at 500 feet agl, and concluded that engine power was sufficient to maintain an out of ground effect hover. The student began the approach at 350 feet agl. The helicopter's rate of descent was 500 feet per minute (fpm) at 25 knots of airspeed. Settling with power (vortex ring state) can be encountered when rates of descent are greater than 300 feet per minute and airspeed below that of translational lift. The helicopter began to overshoot the point of intended landing, and the approach became almost vertical. At 30 feet agl, the helicopter's descent rate increased and the student aborted the approach and began a go-around. The instructor realized that rotor revolutions-per-minute (rpm) had degraded below the normal range, so he took the control of the helicopter. Because the go-around had been initiated, the helicopter was moving forward slowly over a descending slope and the instructor was not able to land the helicopter. He attempted to gain power by lowering and raising collective; however, the helicopter's skid contacted the ground and the helicopter rolled over.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot under instruction's encounter with a settling with power condition, and the flight instructor's failure to maintain adequate rotor rpm during the subsequent go-around. Also causal was the instructor pilot's delayed remedial action during the approach sequence and his inadequate supervision of the flight.

Full Narrative

In a written statement, the instructor pilot reported that he and the private pilot under instruction performed a normal takeoff and departure. After a short flight they arrived at Rocky Point (9 miles north of Ogden-Hinckly Airport), where they were to practice pinnacle approaches and landings. They reconnoitered the area at 300 feet above ground level (agl) in preparation for landing. They performed a power check at 500 feet agl, and concluded that engine power was sufficient to maintain an out of ground effect (OGE) hover. The student began the approach at 350 feet agl. The approach became slightly steep and went past the point of the intended landing. The pilot under instruction reported that the rate of descent was 500 feet per minute (fpm) at 25 knots. At 30 feet agl, the helicopter's descent rate increased, the pilot under instruction aborted the approach, and began a go-around. The instructor realized that rotor revolutions-per-minute (rpm) had degraded below the normal range, so he took the controls from the student. Because the go-around had been initiated, the helicopter was moving forward slowly over a descending hill slope and the instructor was not able to land the helicopter. He attempted to gain power by lowering and raising collective; however, the helicopter's skid contacted the ground and the helicopter rolled over. FAA-H-8083-21, Rotorcraft Flying Handbook, states that vortex ring state (settling with power) is likely when the rate of descent exceeds 300 fpm, and the horizontal velocity is slower than effective translational lift.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time08:15 MDT
Nearest AirportOGDEN (9nm)
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo

Aircraft

AircraftSchweizer 300C
Tail NumberN1510A
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
OperatorHigh Desert Helicopters
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsTextron Lycoming · HIO-360-D1A · Reciprocating

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury), 1 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total2
Crew 1Age 30 · Second Class
Crew 2Age 24 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind110° @ 6 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point63 F / 45 C
Altimeter29.97 inHg
Observation Time14:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data