N234LA – ROBINSON HELICOPTER R22 BETA – 2009-02-06 NTSB Accident Report

On February 06, 2009, a Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA (N234LA) was involved in an incident near Cypress, TX. All 2 people aboard were uninjured. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.

The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this incident to be: The student pilot's failure to maintain adequate main rotor rpm and the instructor's delayed remedial action.

While performing a 180-degree autorotation, the student pilot raised the collective in order to maintain the rotor rpms within normal parameters. At approximately 250 feet above ground level, the rotor rpm was allowed to decay to 95% at which time the helicopter began to sink. The lowest observed rpm was 85%. The certified flight instructor took control of the helicopter, but could not recover prior to impact with terrain. The helicopter landed hard and rolled onto its left side. Substantial crushing damage was sustained to the fuselage. Winds at the time of the accident were 190 degrees at 14 knots gusting to 30 knots.

This incident is documented in NTSB report CEN09CA157. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N234LA.