Summary
On January 30, 2013, a Robinson R22 (N333PJ) was involved in an incident near Kona, HI. 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 pilot’s failure to maintain adequate main rotor rpm during a practice autorotation and the flight instructor's delayed action, which resulted in a hard landing.
The pilot receiving instruction was practicing an autorotation when the main rotor rpm decayed. The flight instructor took control of the helicopter and attempted to correct the low main rotor rpm. However, the helicopter landed hard in a nose high attitude, which resulted in structural damage to the tailboom. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.
This incident is documented in NTSB report WPR13CA107. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N333PJ.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate main rotor rpm during a practice autorotation and the flight instructor's delayed action, which resulted in a hard landing.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Current)
Analysis
The pilot receiving instruction was practicing an autorotation when the main rotor rpm decayed. The flight instructor took control of the helicopter and attempted to correct the low main rotor rpm. However, the helicopter landed hard in a nose high attitude, which resulted in structural damage to the tailboom. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter 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# WPR13CA107