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December 7, 2011 · Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA · N817AB

Waipahu, HI

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
December 7, 2011
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Waipahu, HI
Aircraft
Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA
Tail Number
N817AB
Operator
Mauna Loa Helicopters
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
WPR12CA056

The certified flight instructor (CFI) and a student pilot, who held a foreign-issued fixed-wing certificate, were on a local training flight to practice autorotations. The CFI demonstrated the first autorotation. Prior to letting the student take the controls, she reviewed the recovery procedure again. The CFI remained on the controls while the student made the control applications. One autorotation was performed successfully. The student entered his second autorotation, and, at 1,000 feet above ground level, the CFI requested that the student perform a recovery. Rather than cracking the throttle as demonstrated, the student rolled on the throttle, and the CFI felt a yaw to the right. The CFI took control of the helicopter and countered the yaw with left pedal. The CFI noted that the engine rpm and rotor rpm were excessively high, so she decreased the throttle to lower the engine rpm. She began to raise the collective to lower the rotor rpm, but neither of the rpm needles decreased. The helicopter was maintaining a level attitude, but it was descending. During the landing, the low rotor rpm horn sounded, the helicopter touched down hard, and the tail boom separated. The CFI reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.

NTSB Probable Cause

The certified flight instructor's delayed remedial action and inadequate supervision during a practice autorotation. Contributing to the accident was the student pilot's excessive application of the throttle.

Full Narrative

The certified flight instructor (CFI) and a student pilot, who held a foreign-issued fixed-wing certificate, were on a local training flight. The purpose, in part, was to practice autorotations. The CFI demonstrated the first autorotation. The CFI entered the autorotation after saying "…entering autorotation in 3-2-1" and lowered the collective while simultaneously adding right pedal for trim. Once the collective was all the way down, she closed the throttle. The CFI began to recover at an altitude of approximately 1,000 feet by cracking open the throttle and letting the governor take over after 80 percent revolutions per minute (RPM). Prior to letting the student take the controls, she reviewed the recovery procedure again. The CFI remained on the controls while the student did the control applications. One autorotation was performed successfully. The student entered his second autorotation and at 1,000 feet above ground level, the CFI requested that the student perform a recovery. The student rolled on the throttle and the CFI felt a yaw to the right. The CFI countered with left pedal and stated "I have the controls" and the student relinquished all controls. The CFI noted that the engine and rotor RPMs were excessively high so she decreased the throttle to lower the engine RPMs. She began to raise the collective to lower the rotor RPM, but neither of the RPM needles decreased. The helicopter was maintaining a level attitude but got closer to the ground. As they neared the ground, she looked for a place to land. During the landing, the low rotor RPM horn sounded and the helicopter touched down on the ground. They exited the helicopter and saw that the tail boom had separated. The CFI reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time08:30 HST
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftRobinson Helicopter R22 BETA
Tail NumberN817AB
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
OperatorMauna Loa Helicopters
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming Engines · O-320-B2C · Reciprocating · 180
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 39 · Second Class · None
Crew 2Age 45 · Second Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind6 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point64 F
Altimeter30.04 inHg
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data