Robinson R22 BETA N74607

Summary

On 31 October 2009 at about 20:00 local time, a Robinson R22 BETA registered N74607, operated by Silverhawk Aviation Academy LLC, was involved in an accident near Marsing, Idaho, 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

31 October 2009 at 20:00

Classification

Accident

Location

Marsing, Idaho, United States

Coordinates

43.5500, -116.8000

Aircraft

Robinson R22 BETA

Registration

N74607

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Silverhawk Aviation Academy LLC

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Instructional

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Caldwell → Caldwell

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

WPR10CA042

Nobody was injured.

The pilot's failure to maintain adequate main rotor rpm during the approach and subsequent go-around and the certified flight instructor's inadequate supervision of the flight.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The flight instructor reported that, during a flight review, the pilot being reviewed was performing a pinnacle approach to landing at a selected site between 3,500 feet to 4,000 feet mean sea level. During the approach the helicopter was descending at a rate of about 400 feet per minute and a forward speed of 30 knots. The pilot stated that the helicopter was passing through translational lift and that it seemed like it was taking more power. The flight instructor called for a go-around due to the indicated airspeed and the high sink rate. The instructor stated, “Upon initiating the go-around we experienced lack of power, decreased rotor rpm, and an increased sink rate.” Both occupants reported that they pulled their collectives up to cushion the landing; however, the touchdown was hard. The helicopter tipped forward onto its nose and rolled onto its left side. The landing skids were spread and bent, the main rotor blades remained attached, but were bent, and the tail boom was bent. The flight instructor reported that there were no mechanical anomalies with the helicopter prior to the accident.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.