Robinson R-22 N721HH

Summary

On 12 March 1995 at about 17:45 local time, a Robinson R-22 registered N721HH was involved in an accident near Hillsboro, 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

12 March 1995 at 17:45

Classification

Accident

Location

Hillsboro, Oregon, United States

Nearest airport

Portland-Hillsboro (HIO)

Coordinates

45.5794, -122.9096

Aircraft

Robinson R-22

Registration

N721HH

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Instructional

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

SEA95LA065

Nobody was injured.

THE DUAL STUDENT PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE HELICOPTER DURING THE PRACTICE HOVER AUTOROTATION TO LANDING, AND THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR'S FAILURE TO ADEQUATELY SUPERVISE THE DUAL STUDENT DURING THE LANDING. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS AN UNFAVORABLE WIND.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

THE DUAL STUDENT PILOT AND FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR WERE PRACTICING HOVER AUTOROTATIONS ONTO THE GRASS. IMMEDIATELY PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT, DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE HELICOPTER WAS LOST WHILE THE DUAL STUDENT WAS RECEIVING INSTRUCTION ON AUTOROTATING TO LANDING FROM A HOVER ABOUT TWO FEET ABOVE THE GROUND. BOTH THE STUDENT AND INSTRUCTOR WERE ON THE CONTROLS AT THE TIME. THE HELICOPTER BEGAN TO DRIFT TO THE LEFT, AND THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR USED FULL RIGHT CYCLIC TO CORRECT FOR THE DRIFT. THE HELICOPTER'S LEFT LANDING SKID STRUCK THE GROUND 'HARD' AND THE HELICOPTER ROLLED OVER, CAUSING SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE. THE WIND WAS BLOWING FROM THE SOUTH AT 15 KNOTS.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.