Summary
On November 22, 1994, a Robinson R-22B (N31MK) was involved in an accident near Honolulu, HI. The accident resulted in 2 minor injuries. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this accident to be: The student pilot's improper use of the collective and throttle controls and his failure to maintain adequate main rotor rpm during a practice autorotation.
On November 22, 1994, at 1330 Hawaii standard time, a Robinson R22B helicopter, N31MK, collided with the ground at the Honolulu International Airport, Honolulu, Hawaii, while performing a practice autorotation. The aircraft was owned and operated by Rainbow Pacific Helicopters, Ltd., of Honolulu, Hawaii, and was engaged in a private pilot practical flight test with a designated examiner on board. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The aircraft incurred substantial damage. The private pilot applicant and the examiner sustained minor injuries.
This accident is documented in NTSB report LAX95LA039. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N31MK.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
the student pilot's improper use of the collective and throttle controls and his failure to maintain adequate main rotor rpm during a practice autorotation.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Historical)
Analysis
On November 22, 1994, at 1330 Hawaii standard time, a Robinson R22B helicopter, N31MK, collided with the ground at the Honolulu International Airport, Honolulu, Hawaii, while performing a practice autorotation. The aircraft was owned and operated by Rainbow Pacific Helicopters, Ltd., of Honolulu, Hawaii, and was engaged in a private pilot practical flight test with a designated examiner on board. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The aircraft incurred substantial damage. The private pilot applicant and the examiner sustained minor injuries. The flight originated at the Honolulu International Airport on the day of the accident at 1230 as a local area flight.
According to a written statement from the examiner, the applicant completed the first part of the practical test satisfactorily. The last maneuver to be performed was a recovery from a 180-degree autorotation. The applicant entered the maneuver satisfactorily; however, at the bottom had allowed the main rotor rpm to decay and began to add collective input without adequate throttle input. The examiner said he took control of the helicopter, but could not regain main rotor rpm prior to ground impact.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# LAX95LA039