ROBINSON HELICOPTER R22 BETA
Hibbing, MN — October 4, 2011
Event Information
| Date | October 4, 2011 |
| Event Type | ACC |
| NTSB Number | CEN12CA009 |
| Event ID | 20111006X14650 |
| Location | Hibbing, MN |
| Country | USA |
| Coordinates | 47.47805, -92.84722 |
| Airport | Range Regional 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 private pilot's failure to maintain control of the helicopter during the landing flare.
Full Narrative
The student held a private pilot certificate with a helicopter rating and was receiving instruction toward a commercial helicopter pilot certificate when the accident occurred. According to the instructor, the student pulled aft cyclic too early while beginning a landing flare following a practice autorotation. This resulted in an increase in main rotor rpm and a decrease in airspeed. The instructor then adjusted the throttle in an attempt to decrease the rpm. The instructor stated the student then applied excessive left pedal, which resulted in the helicopter making a 180 degree turn while the helicopter was six feet above the ground. The instructor stated he then decreased the collective and put the helicopter on the ground before the situation worsened. The helicopter contacted the ground as it skidded backwards resulting in substantial damage to the tail boom.
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.