Summary
On October 29, 2010, a Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA (N844SH) was involved in an accident near Prescott, AZ. 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 failure to maintain the proper airspeed and the certificated flight instructor's inadequate supervision and delayed remedial action during a practice autorotation, which resulted in a hard landing and rollover.
A certified flight instructor (CFI) and a student were practicing 180-degree autorotations. The instructor noted that during the initial entry into the autorotation, the student pilot maintained proper rotor rpm and airspeed. About halfway through the 180-degree turn, the helicopter "became nose low" and the airspeed increased. As the helicopter transitioned through about three-quarters of the turn, the instructor took control of the helicopter and attempted to correct the airspeed. The instructor stated that she was unable to correct and the helicopter touched down hard in an open dirt field. The helicopter subsequently rolled over and came to rest on its left side. Examination of the helicopter revealed that the tail boom was separated and the fuselage sustained structural damage.
This accident is documented in NTSB report WPR11CA031. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N844SH.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The student pilot's failure to maintain the proper airspeed and the certificated flight instructor's inadequate supervision and delayed remedial action during a practice autorotation, which resulted in a hard landing and rollover.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Historical)
Analysis
A certified flight instructor (CFI) and a student were practicing 180-degree autorotations. The instructor noted that during the initial entry into the autorotation, the student pilot maintained proper rotor rpm and airspeed. About halfway through the 180-degree turn, the helicopter "became nose low" and the airspeed increased. As the helicopter transitioned through about three-quarters of the turn, the instructor took control of the helicopter and attempted to correct the airspeed. The instructor stated that she was unable to correct and the helicopter touched down hard in an open dirt field. The helicopter subsequently rolled over and came to rest on its left side. Examination of the helicopter revealed that the tail boom was separated and the fuselage sustained structural damage. The flight instructor reported that no mechanical malfunctions existed during the practice autorotation and accident sequence.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# WPR11CA031