ROBINSON HELICOPTER R22 BETA
Mack, CO — August 14, 2010
Event Information
| Date | August 14, 2010 |
| Event Type | ACC |
| NTSB Number | CEN10CA485 |
| Event ID | 20100818X30857 |
| Location | Mack, CO |
| Country | USA |
| Coordinates | 39.26750, -108.85833 |
| Airport | Mack-Mesa Airport |
| Highest Injury | NONE |
Aircraft
| Make | ROBINSON HELICOPTER |
| Model | R22 BETA |
| Category | HELI |
| FAR Part | 091 |
| Aircraft Damage | SUBS |
Conditions
| Light Condition | DAYL |
| Weather | VMC |
Injuries
| Fatal | 0 |
| Serious | 0 |
| Minor | 0 |
| None | 2 |
| Total Injured | 0 |
Event Location
Probable Cause
The flight instructor's failure to maintain control of the helicopter during a practice autorotation, which resulted in a hard landing.
Full Narrative
The certified flight instructor and his student were practicing a 180 degree autorotation with a power recovery to a hover, when the helicopter's sink rate increased dramatically in the flare about 40 feet above the ground. The flight instructor called for a go-around and increased power, raised the collective, and pushed the cyclic forward. The helicopter continued to descend and contacted the runway in a level attitude. After it came to a stop, a vibration was felt and the instructor confirmed that the main rotor blade had struck the tail boom. The instructor reported that there were no mechanical deficiencies with the helicopter.
About This NTSB Record
This aviation event was investigated by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). NTSB investigates all U.S. civil aviation accidents to determine probable cause and issue safety recommendations to prevent future accidents.