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NTSB Report

April 22, 2020 · Robinson R22 BETA · N6703S

Caldwell, ID

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 22, 2020
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Caldwell, ID
Aircraft
Robinson R22 BETA (2004)
Tail Number
N6703S
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
WPR20CA140

The flight instructor reported that, during the instructional flight and while conducting a maximum-glide configuration autorotation, he and the student pilot set the rotor rpm between about 93% and 94%. The instructor began applying aft cyclic to slow the descent rate and to regain rpm; however, the descent rate did not decrease, so he applied more left cyclic to no avail and then increased the throttle. The helicopter landed hard at the most level attitude the instructor could make it, and it then bounced and came to rest. The tailboom was substantially damaged. The Pilot's Operating Manual contained a caution that stated to "increase rotor RPM to 97% minimum when autorotating below 500 ft above ground level." The chief 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 flight instructor's failure to set the proper rotor rpm during a practice autorotation, which led to his failure to maintain a proper descent rate and resulted in a hard, bounced landing.

Full Narrative

The flight instructor reported that during the instructional flight, while conducting autorotation training in a maximum glide configuration, he set the rotor rpm between 93-94%. Aft cyclic was applied to slow down the rate of descent and to regain rpms. The rate of descent did not slow so the throttle was increased, and the helicopter was leveled as it approached the ground. The helicopter subsequently landed hard and bounced once before it came to rest. The tail boom was substantially damaged. A caution in the helicopter's Pilot's Operating Manual states in part to "increase rotor RPM to 97% minimum when autorotating below 500 ft above ground level." The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter or engine that would have precluded normal operation.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:00 PDT
Nearest AirportCaldwell Industrial (0nm WNW)
Flight Plan FiledCvfr
Flight Plan ActivatedYes
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftRobinson R22 BETA
Tail NumberN6703S
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-360 SERIES · Reciprocating · 180
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 48 · Second Class · None
Crew 2Age 55 · Third Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind250° @ 9 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingOvercast 8500 ft
Temperature / Dew Point70 F / 34 C
Altimeter30.04 inHg
Observation Time22:56
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data