McDonnell Douglas 600N N176SP

Summary

On 17 January 1998 at about 00:30 local time, a McDonnell Douglas 600N registered N176SP was involved in an accident near Mesa, Arizona, 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

17 January 1998 at 00:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Mesa, Arizona, United States

Nearest airport

Falcon Field (FFZ)

Coordinates

33.5106, -111.5806

Aircraft

McDonnell Douglas 600N

Registration

N176SP

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Instructional

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

LAX98LA076

Nobody was injured.

The second pilot misjudging his flare and the delayed remedial actions by the pilot-in-command.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The CFI was having the second pilot execute straight in autorotations for familiarization training. The second pilot initiated the autorotation with the rotor in the low range and the CFI instructed the second pilot to reduce collective, which increased their rate of descent. The CFI said that about 18 feet, the second pilot applied 60 percent collective, leveled somewhat, and the nose yawed to the left. The CFI applied full right pedal in an attempt to correct the yaw, but the nose remained yawed to the left approximately 15 degrees. The aircraft hit the ground with the left heel first followed by the nose pitching forward. The CFI stated he applied slight aft cyclic and felt the main rotor contact the tail boom.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.