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October 6, 2017 · Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA BETA · N878MC

Las Vegas, NV

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 6, 2017
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Las Vegas, NV
Aircraft
Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA BETA (2005)
Tail Number
N878MC
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
GAA18CA030

The purpose of the training flight was to practice autorotations with power recovery. The flight instructor reported that, as the helicopter descended through about 40 ft, he instructed the student pilot to increase the landing flare and roll on throttle for power recovery. As the helicopter continued to quickly descend to about 8 ft, they raised the collective, and the flight instructor felt resistance in the collective. The rpms began to drag down, and he tried rolling on the throttle to bring the rpms back up. The flight instructor reported that he believed that the student had tensed up on the throttle and collective as he tried to keep the helicopter level and cushion for the landing. The student pilot reported that, in hindsight, he was pulling up on the collective, but his hand (wrist) was locked, which prevented the governor to roll on and increase power. The helicopter subsequently landed hard, which resulted in substantial damage the fuselage. The flight instructor reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation

NTSB Probable Cause

The student pilot’s tension on the flight control at a low level during an autorotation, which did not allow sufficient time for the flight instructor to correct and recover control before the hard landing.

Full Narrative

The purpose of the training flight was to practice auto rotations with power recovery. The flight instructor reported that as the helicopter descended through about 40 ft, he instructed the student to increase the landing flare and roll on throttle for power recovery. As the helicopter continued to quickly descend to about 8 ft, they raised the collective and the flight instructor felt resistance in the collective. The rpms began to drag down and he tried rolling on the throttle to bring the rpms back up. The flight instructor reported that he believed that the student had tensed up on the throttle and collective as he tried to keep the helicopter level and cushion for the landing. The student pilot reported that in hindsight, he was pulling up on the collective, but his hand (wrist) was locked which prevented the governor to roll on and increase power. The helicopter subsequently landed hard, substantially damaging the fuselage. The flight instructor reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time07:20 PDT
Nearest AirportNorth Las Vegas (0nm SE)
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftRobinson Helicopter R22 BETA BETA
Tail NumberN878MC
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-360 SERIES · Reciprocating · 124
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 29 · Third Class · None
Crew 2Age 35 · Second Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind10° @ 15 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point64 F / 19 C
Altimeter30.06 inHg
Observation Time13:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data