Robinson R22 MARINER N4072U

Summary

On 17 November 1991 at about 21:00 local time, a Robinson R22 MARINER registered N4072U, operated by Drax Corp., was involved in an accident near Ocala, Florida, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

17 November 1991 at 21:00

Classification

Accident

Location

Ocala, Florida, United States

Coordinates

Not recorded

Aircraft

Robinson R22 MARINER

Registration

N4072U

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Drax Corp.

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Ocala → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

MIA92LA031

2 people had minor injuries.

THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S IMPROPER USE OF COLLECTIVE CONTROL AND THROTTLE DURING RECOVERY FROM AN AUTOROTATION WHICH RESULTED IN LOSS OF ROTOR RPM AND A SUBSEQUENT HARD LANDING.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

PILOT INITIATED PRACTICE AUTOROTATION. AT 500 FEET ALTITUDE RECOVERY WAS ATTEMPTED BY INCREASING COLLECTIVE AND INCREASING THROTTLE. LOW ROTOR SPEED WARNING WAS HEARD AND ENGINE DID NOT ACCELERATE. PILOT LOWERED COLLECTIVE AND CONTINUED AUTOROTATION TO THE GROUND AT WHICH TIME A HARD LANDING WAS MADE. POSTCRASH EXAMINATION OF THE AIRCRAFT BY FAA INSPECTORS REVEALED NO EVIDENCE OF FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION OF THE AIRCRAFT ENGINE. THE ENGINE WAS OPERATED AFTER THE ACCIDENT WITH NO EVIDENCE OF FAILURE.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.