Accident Hiller UH-12E N12RF, Friday 9 September 1994

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Date:	Friday 9 September 1994
Time:	13:40 LT
Type:	Hiller UH-12E
Owner/operator:	Private
Registration:	N12RF
MSN:	2102
Total airframe hrs:	7868 hours
Engine model:	Lycoming VO-540-C2A
Fatalities:	Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 1
Other fatalities:	0
Aircraft damage:	Substantial
Category:	Accident
Location:	Grand Junction, CO - United States of America
Phase:	Landing
Nature:	Training
Departure airport:
Destination airport:
Investigating agency:	NTSB
Confidence Rating:	Accident investigation report completed and information captured

Narrative:
WHILE ON A SOLO INSTRUCTIONAL FLIGHT, PRACTICING TOWARDS GAINING A HELICOPTER RATING, THE PILOT WAS CONDUCTING A PRACTICE AUTOROTATION TO A SAND BAR. THE AIRSPEED AND SINK RATE BECAME EXCESSIVE AND THE HELICOPTER LANDED HARD RESULTING IN THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES STRIKING THE TAIL BOOM.

Probable Cause: IMPROPER REMEDIAL ACTION IN CORRECTING FOR EXCESSIVE SPEED AND SINK RATE DURING AN AUTOROTATION. FACTORS WERE: HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE, EXCESSIVE AIRSPEED AND SINK RATE.

Accident investigation: