Robinson R-22 N549SM

Summary

On 30 July 1993 at about 19:29 local time, a Robinson R-22 registered N549SM, operated by Helicopter Adventures, Inc., was involved in an accident near Verdi, Nevada, United States. 2 people were on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

30 July 1993 at 19:29

Classification

Accident

Location

Verdi, Nevada, United States

Coordinates

39.5104, -119.9898

Aircraft

Robinson R-22

Registration

N549SM

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Helicopter Adventures, Inc.

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Instructional

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Reno → Truckee

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

LAX93LA308

Nobody was injured.

THE INSTRUCTOR'S IMPROPER SUPERVISION OF THE FLIGHT; THE DUAL STUDENT'S IMPROPER IN-FLIGHT DECISION TO FOLLOW ANOTHER HELICOPTER ON DEPARTURE AND THE DUAL STUDENTS DELAY IN CORRECTING THE INADVERTENT YAW. FACTORS RELATED TO THIS ACCIDENT WAS THE INADVERTENT ENCOUNTER WITH THE WAKE TURBULENCE FROM THE PRECEDING DEPARTING HELICOPTER; THE DUAL STUDENT'S IMPROPER USE OF THE THROTTLE AND THE DUAL STUDENTS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE ROTOR RPM.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

THE HELICOPTER WAS ONE OF A FLIGHT OF FOUR HELICOPTERS CONDUCTING A MOUNTAIN FLYING COURSE WHICH CONSISTED OF EXECUTING PINNACLE LANDINGS AND TAKEOFFS. THE CFI ALLOWED THE DUAL STUDENT TO FOLLOW ANOTHER HELICOPTER ON ITS DEPARTURE FROM THE PINNACLE. THE HELICOPTER ENCOUNTERED THE PRECEDING HELICOPTER'S ROTOR WASH AND IMMEDIATELY TURNED RIGHT. THE STUDENT APPLIED LEFT PEDAL CORRECTIVE ACTION, BUT THE MAIN ROTOR RPM'S BEGAN TO DECAY. THE CFI ASSUMED THE CONTROLS AND IMMEDIATELY LOWERED THE COLLECTIVE AND APPLIED FULL THROTTLE, BUT THE REAR SKIDS STRUCK THE GROUND. THE CFI WAS ABLE TO REGAIN A LEVEL ATTITUDE, BUT THE HELICOPTER STRUCK SOME ROCKS AND CRASHED.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.