Bell 222U N222UT

Summary

On 28 September 2004 at about 22:05 local time, a Bell 222U registered N222UT, operated by California Shock-Trauma Air Rescue, was involved in an accident near Santa Rosa, California, United States. 3 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

28 September 2004 at 22:05

Classification

Accident

Location

Santa Rosa, California, United States

Nearest airport

Santa Rosa (STS)

Coordinates

38.5089, -122.8128

Aircraft

Bell 222U

Registration

N222UT

Category

Helicopter

Engines

2

Operator

California Shock-Trauma Air Rescue

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Instructional

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Santa Rosa → Napa

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

LAX04CA332

Nobody was injured.

the pilot-in-command's (examinee's) incorrect collective control response to a simulated power loss of the number 1 engine.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

During a hover taxi on a company 14 CFR Part 135 pilot checkride, the helicopter did a series of fore and aft skid collisions with the taxiway, and the tail rotor separated from the helicopter. The purpose of the flight was for one of the company pilots to complete a initial instrument check ride. As the examinee taxied the helicopter for departure, the check pilot retarded the number 1 engine to a partial power setting. The examinee lowered the collective. The helicopter skids contacted the ground and it bounced into the air in a nose-low attitude. This was followed by a ground contact on the toes of the skids, and an additional bounce. During the second bounce, aft cyclic was applied, and the tail rotor contacted the ground and broke from the helicopter. The helicopter bounced and began turning to the right. The check pilot applied power to the number 1 engine and the forward portion of the skids contacted the ground while the helicopter turned to the right. The helicopter spun approximately 270 degrees about 10 feet above ground level. After 1 to 1 1/2 turns, the check pilot assumed control of the helicopter. He leveled the helicopter and applied full left pedal. The spin continued until he closed both throttles and performed a hovering autorotation. Neither the check pilot, nor the examinee reported any mechanical malfunctions with the helicopter prior to the accident. The chief pilot said the check airman responded in accordance with current company policy and procedures.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.