Robinson R22 MARINER N1089N

Summary

On 14 June 2012 at about 20:37 local time, a Robinson R22 MARINER registered N1089N, operated by Watercraft Photo Helicopter LLC, was involved in an accident near Oak Island, North Carolina, 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

14 June 2012 at 20:37

Classification

Accident

Location

Oak Island, North Carolina, United States

Coordinates

33.8933, -78.0817

Aircraft

Robinson R22 MARINER

Registration

N1089N

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Watercraft Photo Helicopter LLC

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Wilmington → Myrtle Beach

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Dawn

NTSB number

ERA12LA399

Nobody was injured.

The pilot's failure to properly execute the helicopter practice autorotation recovery, which resulted in a collision with the water.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

According to the pilot, the helicopter was established in cruise flight at 600 feet mean sea level and an airspeed of 75 knots when she entered a practice autorotation over the ocean, with the intention of a power recovery. The pilot lowered the collective pitch to the full down position and rolled the throttle to the full off position. The pilot then raised the collective pitch and the main rotor rpm started to decrease and the low main rotor audio sounded. The pilot increased the throttle and increased collective, and the main rotor rpm continued to decrease. The helicopter continued to descend until it impacted the ocean and rolled over inverted. The pilot and pilot-rated passenger stated there were no mechanical problems with the helicopter.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.