Robinson R22 N789HP

Summary

On 25 July 1998 at about 18:30 local time, a Robinson R22 registered N789HP, operated by High Plains Helicopters, was involved in an accident near Lubbock, Texas, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

25 July 1998 at 18:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Lubbock, Texas, United States

Coordinates

33.7299, -101.8301

Aircraft

Robinson R22

Registration

N789HP

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

High Plains Helicopters

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Business

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

FTW98LA330

2 people had minor injuries.

The pilot's failure to perform an adequate flare, and his improper touchdown technique. Factors were the pilot's improper evaluation of the weather conditions, and the high density altitude and crosswind weather condition.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The flight instructor initiated the autorotation from a heading of approximately 040 degrees at 600 feet agl, with an airspeed of 60 knots and a rotor RPM of 100 percent. During the 100 degree right turn toward the south (about a 140 degree heading), the airspeed decreased to 54 knots. The instructor lowered the aircraft's nose to regain airspeed and the rotor RPM decreased to 96 percent, activating the low rotor RPM warning system. He then lowered the collective and rotor RPM was regained (100 percent). At 60 feet, he looked up and observed the ground coming up 'very fast.' At 40 feet he initiated a flare, and noticed that 'instead of the flare dragging out, we just kept dropping towards the ground.' At 25 feet he aligned the aircraft for landing, and 'just prior to touchdown I applied full collective pitch. I can't remember if I rolled throttle on or not.' The helicopter struck the ground with the tailboom first, then the skids, and came to rest on its left side. The pilot reported the winds at the time of the accident were from 190 degrees at 10 knots gusting to 21. The density altitude was calculated to be 6,359 feet.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.