Robinson R22B N501R

Summary

On 8 July 1993 at about 01:59 local time, a Robinson R22B registered N501R was involved in an accident near Honolulu, Hawaii, United States. One person was on board and one died. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

8 July 1993 at 01:59

Classification

Accident

Location

Honolulu, Hawaii, United States

Nearest airport

Honolulu International (HNL)

Coordinates

21.3497, -157.8805

Aircraft

Robinson R22B

Registration

N501R

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Instructional

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Destroyed

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

LAX93FA281

1 person died.

THE INSTRUCTOR ALLOWING THE STUDENT FLY SOLO IN WIND CONDITIONS EXCEEDING THE MAXIMUM ALLOWABLE WINDS IN THE TRAINING SYLLABUS, AND ALSO NEAR THE MAXIMUM DEMONSTRATED CONTROLLABILITY ENVELOPE FOR THE HELICOPTER. FACTORS WHICH CONTRIBUTED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE THE UNFAVORABLE WIND CONDITIONS.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

AFTER COMPLETING A PERIOD OF DUAL, THE CFI SAID HE FELT THE STUDENT WAS READY FOR HIS FIRST SUPERVISED SOLO, AND HE EXITED THE AIRPLANE AFTER INSTRUCTING THE STUDENT TO COMPLETE 3 TAKEOFF, APPROACH TO A HOVER, & LANDING MANEUVERS. DURING THE 3RD LANDING MANEUVER THE HELICOPTER BEGAN ROTATING, THEN DESCENDED RAPIDLY AND IMPACTED THE GROUND. THE STUDENT HAD RECEIVED 21 HRS OF HELICOPTER DUAL INSTRUCTION, FROM 3 DIFFERENT INSTRUCTORS, DURING 15 LESSONS. ALL 3 INSTRUCTORS USED THE ROBINSON FLIGHT TRAINING GUIDE AS A SYLLABUS; THE GUIDE STATES 'UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES ARE STUDENTS PERMITTED TO FLY SOLO IN WINDS IN EXCESS OF 15 KNOTS.' THE PERFORMANCE SECTION OF THE PILOT OPERATOR HANBOOK STATES THAT CONTROLLABILITY HAS BEEN DEMONSTRATED FOR CROSSWINDS AND TAILWINDS UP TO 17 KNOTS. AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT THE TOWER WAS REPORTING RAIN SHOWERS NORTHEAST; PERIODIC WIND GUSTS TO 25 KTS WERE ALSO REPORTED DURING THE TIME OF THE FLIGHT. A LLWAS WIND SENSOR NEAR THE ACCIDENT SITE WAS REPORTING AVERAGE SPEEDS OF 15-18 KTS.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.