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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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September 11, 2008 · Robinson R22B · N227GH

Prescott, AZ

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 11, 2008
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 minor injuries)
Location
Prescott, AZ
Aircraft
Robinson R22B
Tail Number
N227GH
Operator
Guidance Helicopters
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX08CA298

A certified flight instructor (CFI) and a student were practicing 180-degree autorotations. While turning final, the airspeed decayed and the student responded by pushing forward on the cyclic. The main rotor rpm dropped to 95 percent as the helicopter was descending. The instructor added throttle but was unable to arrest the descent rate or to recover the main rotor rpm. The right front skid contacted the ground, then the rotor struck the tail boom. The helicopter entered a right spin, drifted to the left, and rolled over. The pilots reported that there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions during the flight.

NTSB Probable Cause

The student pilot's failure to maintain adequate main rotor rpm and the instructor's inadequate supervision and delayed remedial action.

Full Narrative

On September 11, 2008, about 1630 mountain standard time, a Robinson Helicopter R-22, N227GH, impacted the taxiway and terrain during a practice 180-degree autorotation at the Ernest A. Love Field Airport (PRC), Prescott, Arizona. Guidance Helicopters, Inc., was operating the helicopter under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91. The certified flight instructor (CFI) and the student pilot undergoing instruction (PUI) sustained minor injuries. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the rotor system and tail boom. The instructional flight departed PRC about 1545. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. The CFI reported that they had performed four 180-degree autorotations successfully. The final 180-degree autorotation was progressing normally until turning final. At that time, the helicopter experienced a sudden drop in airspeed approximately 150 feet agl. Airspeed indicated 52 knots, and rotor rpm was 101 percent. The PUI responded by pushing forward on the cyclic. The rotor rpm dropped to 95 percent, and the helicopter altitude was down to 75 feet agl. This resulted in lower rpm's and an excessive descent rate. The CFI attempted to perform a power recover, but the rpm's did not build quickly enough to avoid the skids striking the taxiway. The CFI leveled the helicopter before impact. The right front skid contacted slightly first. The rotor then struck the tail boom, and the helicopter entered a right spin. After spinning several times, the helicopter drifted to the left, the skids contacted sod, and the helicopter rolled over. The PUI confirmed that they were performing 180-degree autorotations. As they rolled out on final, the airspeed started to drop. The PUI pushed forward on the cyclic and applied a little down collective. The helicopter descended quicker than the PUI expected, with the rpm dropping below 101 percent. Both the PUI and the CFI rolled on the throttle and leveled the aircraft. The helicopter hit the taxiway with the right skid first. The helicopter started to spin until it hit the dirt and rolled over. The pilots reported that there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions during the flight.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:20 MST
Nearest AirportErnest A. Love Field Airport (0nm)
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftRobinson R22B
Tail NumberN227GH
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
OperatorGuidance Helicopters
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (2 minor injuries)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor2
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 42 · First Class · Minor
Crew 2Age 23 · Second Class · Minor

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind330° @ 7 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point37 C
Altimeter29.97 inHg
Observation Time23:41
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data