BELL 206-L4
Fort Worth, TX — May 10, 2013
Event Information
| Date | May 10, 2013 |
| Event Type | ACC |
| NTSB Number | CEN13CA276 |
| Event ID | 20130514X15720 |
| Location | Fort Worth, TX |
| Country | USA |
| Coordinates | 32.98750, -97.31861 |
| Airport | Private |
| Highest Injury | NONE |
Aircraft
| Make | BELL |
| Model | 206-L4 |
| 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 inadequate supervision and delayed remedial action during a practice autorotation, which resulted in a hard landing.
Full Narrative
The pilot receiving instruction was conducting a practice right 180 degree autorotation. During the approach, the airspeed decreased to approximately 40 knots which shortened the approach angle. At 8 to 10 feet above the ground, the flight instructor advised the pilot to apply forward cyclic while maintaining the collective position. The flight instructor then "used what was left of the rotor RPM to cushion the landing." During the touchdown, the helicopter landed hard, which resulted in structural damage to the tailboom. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.
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.