LAKE HUGHES, CA, USA
N2634N
ROBINSON R22B
THE 77 HOUR NEWLY CERTIFICATED PRIVATE PILOT SAID HE PERFORMED A RIGHT 180 DEGREE TURN AT ABOUT 500 FEET AGL. DURING THE TURN THE LOW ROTOR RPM WARNING HORN AND LIGHT CAME ON. THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO REGAIN ROTOR RPM BY MANIPULATING THE THROTTLE AND COLLECTIVE CONTROLS, BUT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. THE PILOT ENTERED AN AUTOROTATION, LANDED HARD AND THE MAIN ROTOR SEVERED THE TAIL BOOM. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THERE WAS NO MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE OF THE HELICOPTER.
THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN ROTOR RPM WHILE MANEUVERING AND HIS MISJUDGEMENT OF THE LANDING FLARE. A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT'S LACK OF TOTAL EXPERIENCE.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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