N393LE

Substantial
None

ROBINSON R22S/N: 4393

Accident Details

Date
Saturday, December 15, 2012
NTSB Number
WPR13CA068
Location
Logan, UT
Event ID
20121215X11534
Coordinates
41.791389, -111.851669
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
Highest Injury
None
Fatalities
0
Serious Injuries
0
Minor Injuries
0
Uninjured
2
Total Aboard
2

Probable Cause and Findings

The flight instructor’s delayed remedial action and inadequate supervision during a practice autorotation, which resulted in a failure to maintain adequate main rotor rpm. Contributing to the accident was the wet landing surface.

Aircraft Information

Registration
N393LE
Make
ROBINSON
Serial Number
4393
Engine Type
Reciprocating
Year Built
2008
Model / ICAO
R22R22
Aircraft Type
Rotorcraft
No. of Engines
1

Registered Owner (Historical)

Name
MOUNTAIN RIDGE HELICOPTERS LLC
Address
164 BERGER LN
Status
Deregistered
City
MURRAY
State / Zip Code
UT 84107-4713
Country
United States

Analysis

During the 180-degree autorotation the student maintained 65 knots with the rotor revolutions per minute (RPM) in the green. As the student rolled out of the turn at about 300 feet above ground level and at 70 knots, the rotor rpm continued to remain in the green. However, prior to the flare the rotor RPM began to decay and failed to build as the flare was entered. The flight instructor then took control of the helicopter and immediately rolled on throttle to recover engine [power] and to maintain [rotor] RPM, but there was insufficient engine power to recover the decayed rotor RPM; this was followed by a low rotor RPM light and horn. As power was not available for a full power on landing, the flight instructor initiated a full down autorotation to a taxiway. During the landing the helicopter skidded across and off the wet taxiway into loose gravel and mud before the left skid dug into the ground. This resulted in the aircraft rolling over and coming to rest on its left side. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to its welded frames, firewall, and tail cone. The flight instructor reported no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter or flight controls that would have precluded normal operation.

Data Source

Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# WPR13CA068