Robinson R22 BETA N10QD

Summary

On 10 August 2007 at about 22:25 local time, a Robinson R22 BETA registered N10QD was involved in an accident near Chino, California, 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 August 2007 at 22:25

Classification

Accident

Location

Chino, California, United States

Nearest airport

Chino Airport (KCNO)

Coordinates

33.9744, -117.6364

Aircraft

Robinson R22 BETA

Registration

N10QD

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Instructional

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Chino → Chino

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

LAX07CA247

Nobody was injured.

The private pilot's failure to maintain the proper airspeed and main rotor rpm, which resulted in a high rate of descent and subsequent hard landing. Also causal was the certificated flight instructor's delayed remedial action.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The helicopter landed hard during a practice autorotation maneuver. Following the private pilot's unsuccessful attempt at a 180-degree autorotation, the certificated flight instructor instructed him to perform the maneuver again. The private pilot entered the autorotation and as the descent proceeded, he utilized the collective to maintain the rotor revolutions per minute (rpm) within the normal operating range. Through the turn, the instructor noticed that the helicopter was gradually assuming a nose-low attitude. The instructor advised the student to level the helicopter and continue to maneuver through the turn. The instructor subsequently assumed authority of the flight controls and the helicopter continued to descend through 100 feet above ground level (agl). The helicopter was at an airspeed of 40 knots and vibrating with the low rotor warning horn sounding when the instructor leveled the helicopter as it simultaneously contacted the ground. The helicopter touched down hard and slid on its belly to the edge of the runway surface. The instructor reported no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airframe or engine prior to the accident. He stated that the accident may have been prevented if he had assumed authority of the controls earlier in the maneuver.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.