Summary
On August 29, 2017, a Robinson Helicopter R22 (N622MP) was involved in an incident near Sacramento, CA. 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 student pilot’s failure to maintain yaw control and the flight instructor’s delayed remedial action.
The helicopter flight instructor reported that the student was practicing quick-stops on the taxiway. The student was hovering with a tailwind and began to accelerate when the helicopter started a "fast yaw to the right". He added that they stopped the acceleration, checked the engine gauges, and then accelerated again. As the helicopter was going through effective translational lift (ETL), it spun to the right. The flight instructor took the flight controls, noticed the rpm was high, and reduced the throttle.
This incident is documented in NTSB report GAA17CA514. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N622MP.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The student pilot’s failure to maintain yaw control and the flight instructor’s delayed remedial action.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Current)
Analysis
The helicopter flight instructor reported that the student was practicing quick-stops on the taxiway. The student was hovering with a tailwind and began to accelerate when the helicopter started a "fast yaw to the right". He added that they stopped the acceleration, checked the engine gauges, and then accelerated again. As the helicopter was going through effective translational lift (ETL), it spun to the right. The flight instructor took the flight controls, noticed the rpm was high, and reduced the throttle. The helicopter impacted the ground backwards and slid before coming to rest.
The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the vertical stabilizer.
The flight instructor reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.
A review of recorded data from the automated weather observation station located on the airport reported that, about 37 minutes before the accident, the wind was from 190° at 7 knots. The helicopter was taxiing to the north.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# GAA17CA514