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| Date: | Tuesday 18 January 2005 |
| Time: | 13:20 LT |
| Type: |  Robinson R22 |
| Owner/operator: | Vortex Helicopoters Inc. |
| Registration: | N26498 |
| MSN: | 836 |
| Total airframe hrs: | 10960 hours |
| Engine model: | Lycoming O-320B2C |
| Fatalities: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 2 |
| Other fatalities: | 0 |
| Aircraft damage: | Substantial |
| Category: | Accident |
| Location: | Gulf Port, Mississippi -
 United States of America
|
| Phase: | Unknown |
| Nature: | Training |
| Departure airport: | Long beach, MS (K35M) |
| Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport, MS (GPT/KGPT) | |
| Investigating agency: | NTSB |
| Confidence Rating: |  Accident investigation report completed and information captured |
The instructor stated, the student entered a well maintained 70-knot glide prior to performing the autorotation recovery. The student flared too high, 10 to 12 feet agl and kept the throttle closed, preventing the governor from restoring the rpm needed to recover from the maneuver. The lack of sufficient lift and low altitude did not allow him to slow the descent. The skids and the tailboom of the helicopter incurred substantial damage from the hard landing. The student pilot stated, everything at the time of the flare was normal; however, the instructor took control of the aircraft and felt him trying to roll the throttle on, but for some reason, the student was unable to release the throttle. The helicopter landed hard from about 5 to 6 feet above the ground.
Probable Cause: The student pilot's inadequate flare and his failure to maintain rotor rpm which resulted in a hard landing. Also causal was the instructor's inadequate supervision of the flight.
Accident investigation:
 |
|
Sources:
NTSB MIA05CA051
Revision history:
| Date/time | Contributor | Updates |
|---|---|---|
| 10-Oct-2022 18:10 | ASN Update Bot | Added |
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