Robinson R22 N707WH

Summary

On 17 July 2007 at about 22:20 local time, a Robinson R22 registered N707WH, operated by Leading Edge Aviation, was involved in an accident near Bend, Oregon, 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 July 2007 at 22:20

Classification

Accident

Location

Bend, Oregon, United States

Nearest airport

Bend Municipal Airport (KBDN)

Coordinates

44.0947, -121.2006

Aircraft

Robinson R22

Registration

N707WH

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Leading Edge Aviation

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Instructional

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Bend → Bend

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

SEA07CA205

Nobody was injured.

An excessive descent rate during a simulated power-off autorotation, and the pilot's failure to initiate corrective action in time to keep the helicopter from impacting the terrain.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

After completing five or six successful simulated power-off autorotations, the pilot entered an autorotation in which he allowed the helicopter's descent rate to become excessive. Although he attempted to take corrective action, he did not do so in time to keep the aircraft from contacting an asphalt surface with sufficient force to result in substantial damage to the helicopter's airframe.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.