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July 13, 2013 · Bell Helicopter Textron 206L-1 · N123HP

Inyokern, CA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 13, 2013
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Inyokern, CA
Aircraft
Bell Helicopter Textron 206L-1
Tail Number
N123HP
Operator
Southwest Heliservices
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
WPR13CA329

During a flight for the purpose of the pilot to acquire the minimum flight hours to act as pilot-in-command, he and a pilot providing training (who was not a flight instructor) of the helicopter were practicing autorotation's from flight to a power recovery. The pilot providing training stated that on the fourth autorotation the pilot allowed the rotor rpm to decay and then froze on the controls, not allowing him to increase the throttle. He was able to level the helicopter; however, it landed hard and the main rotor blades struck and severed the tail boom. The pilot reported that at the initiation of the maneuver, the pilot providing training rolled the throttle off, and the downwind glide was established. The pilot stated that as he leveled the helicopter and collective was pulled, he realized that the engine was not completely back on line. The pilot providing training subsequently took over the flight controls and flew the helicopter to the ground. Both pilots reported the need for better verbal commands or stating intentions throughout the maneuver. Neither pilot reported a preimpact mechanical malfunction or failure with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.

NTSB Probable Cause

The failure of the pilot to maintain aircraft control during a practice autorotation maneuver and the pilot providing training's delayed remedial action which resulted in a hard landing. Contributing to the accident was the lack of communication between the two pilots.

Full Narrative

During a flight for the purpose of the second pilot to acquire the minimum flight hours to act as pilot-in-command, he and the owner of the helicopter were practicing autorotation's from flight to a power recovery. The owner stated that on the fourth autorotation the second pilot allowed the rotor rpm to decay and then froze on the controls, not allowing him to increase the throttle. He was able to level the helicopter; however, it landed hard and the main rotor blades struck and severed the tail boom.The second pilot reported that at the initiation of the maneuver, the owner rolled the throttle off, and the downwind glide was established. The second pilot stated that as he leveled the helicopter and collective was pulled, he realized that the engine was not completely back on line. The owner subsequently took over the flight controls and flew the helicopter to the ground. Both pilots reported the need for better verbal commands or stating intentions throughout the maneuver. Neither pilot reported a preimpact mechanical malfunction or failure with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:40 PDT
Nearest AirportINYOKERN (0nm SSE)
Runway28
Runway Length4150 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBell Helicopter Textron 206L-1
Tail NumberN123HP
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
OperatorSouthwest Heliservices
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboshaft
Engine DetailsRolls-Royc · 250-C40B · Turboshaft · 715
Seats7

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 42 · Second Class · None
Crew 2Age 64 · Second Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind250° @ 5 kt, gusting 3 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Observation Time18:30
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data