N5189K

Substantial
None

HUGHES 500S/N: 0095E

Accident Details

Date
Thursday, May 6, 2010
NTSB Number
ERA10CA255
Location
West Palm Beach, FL
Event ID
20100507X51119
Coordinates
26.840833, -80.224998
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
Highest Injury
None
Fatalities
0
Serious Injuries
0
Minor Injuries
0
Uninjured
2
Total Aboard
2

Probable Cause and Findings

The commercial pilot's improper flare during a simulated autorotation, which resulted in a hard landing.

Aircraft Information

Registration
N5189K
Make
HUGHES
Serial Number
0095E
Engine Type
Turbo-shaft
Model / ICAO
500H500
Aircraft Type
Rotorcraft
No. of Engines
1

Registered Owner (Historical)

Name
CAVICO AIRCRAFT SALES INC
Address
5500 NW 21ST TERRACE BLDG 9
Status
Deregistered
City
FORT LAUDERDALE
State / Zip Code
FL 33309
Country
United States

Analysis

The certificated commercial helicopter pilot reported that he was practicing autorotations with a certificated flight instructor (CFI). The CFI stated that the first autorotation "went well," and ended with a "nice cushioned landing." During the second autorotation, the commercial pilot flared 100 feet above the ground, and applied cyclic control to cushion the landing. The helicopter "settled abruptly," impacted the taxiway firmly, and bounced. A main rotor blade struck and partially severed the tail boom. No pre-accident mechanical anomalies were noted with the helicopter. The flight instructor had accumulated 1,660 hours of total flight experience, which included 6 hours in the same make and model as the accident helicopter. The commercial pilot had accumulated 750 hours of total flight experience, which included 345 hours in the same make and model as the accident helicopter.

Data Source

Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# ERA10CA255