Aviation Accident Summaries

Aviation Accident Summary CEN13CA312

Lansing, IL, USA

Aircraft #1

N2318X

ROBINSON HELICOPTER R22 BETA

Analysis

The pilot receiving instruction was demonstrating a 180-degree autorotation at the time of the accident and inadvertently overshot the intended ground target point. After rolling out of the turn, the pilot receiving instruction did not flare properly and, instead, increased collective until reaching the control stop resulting in a loss of main rotor speed. The flight instructor was unable to correct the pilot’s control inputs in time to prevent a hard landing. The landing skids collapsed, and the helicopter sustained substantial damage to the tail boom and fuselage. The flight instructor and pilot receiving instruction reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures associated with the helicopter.

Factual Information

The pilot-receiving-instruction was demonstrating a 180-degree autorotation at the time of the accident. He inadvertently overshot the intended ground target point. After rolling out of the turn, the pilot-receiving-instruction did not flare properly and, instead, increased collective until reaching the control stop resulting in a loss of main rotor speed. The flight instructor was unable to correct the pilot’s control inputs in time to prevent a hard landing. The landing skids collapsed, and the helicopter sustained substantial damage to the tail boom and fuselage. The flight instructor and pilot-receiving-instruction reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures associated with the helicopter.

Probable Cause and Findings

Improper control inputs by the pilot-receiving-instruction and the inability of the flight instructor to correct the control inputs in sufficient time to avoid the hard landing.

 

Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database

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