N2072M

Substantial
None

BELL HELICOPTER TEXTRON 206L-1S/N: 45720

Accident Details

Date
Tuesday, April 23, 2013
NTSB Number
WPR13CA206
Location
Grand Canyon, AZ
Event ID
20130423X85953
Coordinates
35.855278, -112.075553
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
Highest Injury
None
Fatalities
0
Serious Injuries
0
Minor Injuries
0
Uninjured
2
Total Aboard
2

Probable Cause and Findings

The failure of the flight instructor and the pilot receiving instruction to recognize before entering the flare that the wind had shifted to a tailwind and terminate the practice autorotation.

Aircraft Information

Registration
Make
BELL HELICOPTER TEXTRON
Serial Number
45720
Engine Type
Turbo-shaft
Year Built
1982
Model / ICAO
206L-1B06T
Aircraft Type
Rotorcraft
No. of Engines
1
Seats
7
FAA Model
206L-1

Registered Owner (Current)

Name
MONARCH ENTERPRISES INC
Address
12515 WILLOWS RD NE 200
City
KIRKLAND
State / Zip Code
WA 98034
Country
United States

Analysis

The flight instructor reported that during an instructional flight, she and her student pilot were practicing autorotations. During a right turn 180- degree autorotation, the flight instructor announced that the throttle was coming on, and then when full throttle was on. The student then started to level the helicopter. As the wind had shifted during the maneuver, the student was forced to flare harder and utilize increased cyclic control. The flight instructor subsequently took control of the helicopter in order to prevent an engine over-torque and landed the helicopter. During the landing, the tail boom was substantially damaged. The flight instructor reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airframe or engine 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# WPR13CA206