N441TB

Substantial
None

ROBINSON R44S/N: 0631

Accident Details

Date
Friday, February 4, 2011
NTSB Number
WPR11CA121
Location
Ogden, UT
Event ID
20110203X11204
Coordinates
41.352222, -112.194168
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
Highest Injury
None
Fatalities
0
Serious Injuries
0
Minor Injuries
0
Uninjured
2
Total Aboard
2

Probable Cause and Findings

The certified flight instructor’s failure to maintain adequate main rotor blade rpm during a practice autorotation, resulting in a hard landing and rollover.

Aircraft Information

Registration
Make
ROBINSON
Serial Number
0631
Engine Type
Reciprocating
Year Built
1999
Model / ICAO
R44R44
Aircraft Type
Rotorcraft
No. of Engines
1
Seats
4
FAA Model
R44

Registered Owner (Current)

Name
MANSFIELD HELIFLIGHT INC
Address
159 CATAMOUNT DR
City
MILTON
State / Zip Code
VT 05468-3284
Country
United States

Analysis

After completing several practice landings and autorotations at the airport, the Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) and student pilot departed for the practice area. The CFI demonstrated straight in and 180-degree autorotations; the first 180-degree attempt began at 6,000 feet mean sea level and 55-60 knots. During the second 180-degree attempt, he started about 200 feet lower. The airspeed bled off to about 50 knots during the turn, and the main rotor blades’ revolutions per minute (rpm) began decaying rapidly. About 200 feet above ground level (agl), the CFI attempted a power recovery, but the rpm did not increase with an increase in throttle. He attempted to flair to bring the rpm back, but this did not work either. He attempted a full down autorotation, and put the helicopter in a level attitude prior to contact with the ground. The helicopter bounced; on the second contact, the right skid dug into the muddy ground, and rolled onto its right side. The pilots were not injured, and extricated themselves from the wreckage. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the airframe and rotor blades. The pilots stated that the helicopter had no mechanical failures or malfunctions.

Data Source

Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# WPR11CA121