Robinson R-22B N2321X

Summary

On 10 December 1998 at about 19:00 local time, a Robinson R-22B registered N2321X, operated by Aircoastal Helicopter Inc.,, was involved in an accident near Lantana, Florida, 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

10 December 1998 at 19:00

Classification

Accident

Location

Lantana, Florida, United States

Nearest airport

Palm Beach County Park (LNA)

Coordinates

26.5797, -80.0698

Aircraft

Robinson R-22B

Registration

N2321X

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Aircoastal Helicopter Inc.,

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Instructional

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ATL99LA033

Nobody was injured.

The pilot's improper use of the flight controls during an attempted autorotation.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The flight instructor was demonstrating a 180-degree autorotation, with power recovery. As the helicopter descended through 200 feet, the low rotor RPM horn sounded. The tachometer was about 92 percent. The flight instructor then rolled on the throttle and went down on the collective simultaneously. The instructor stated that his descent rate was too great to arrest the sink. The instructor attempted a shallow flare, and cushioned with collective. The helicopter contacted the ground in a level attitude.. The aircraft slid in grass, the right skid dug into the ground and the helicopter rolled over. No mechanical problems with the airplane were discovered during the wreckage examination.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.