Robinson R66 N266RH

Summary

On 23 February 2016 at about 19:45 local time, a Robinson R66 registered N266RH, operated by Robinson Helicopter Co, was involved in an accident near Torrance, California, United States. One person was 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

23 February 2016 at 19:45

Classification

Accident

Location

Torrance, California, United States

Nearest airport

Zamperini Field (TOA)

Coordinates

33.8025, -118.3386

Aircraft

Robinson R66

Registration

N266RH

Category

Helicopter

Year built

2009

Engines

1

Operator

Robinson Helicopter Co

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Flight Test

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Torrance → Torrance

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

WPR16LA075

Nobody was injured.

A vibration of the helicopter, which resulted in an autorotation to soft terrain and subsequent impact of the tail boom with the main rotor. The reason for the vibration could not be determined because postaccident examination revealed no malfunctions or anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The commercial pilot was performing company flight testing in the helicopter. After performing an air taxi and a hovering autorotation, the pilot conducted a simulated maximum performance takeoff. About 200 ft above ground level, the pilot heard a noise and felt a momentary helicopter vibration. He subsequently performed a precautionary autorotation to a grass area on airport property. The pilot stated that the helicopter had forward speed during the landing and that the grass was soft; as a result, the helicopter entered a fore-aft rocking motion after touchdown, and the main rotor contacted the tail boom, resulting in substantial damage. Postaccident review of data from the engine monitoring unit revealed no anomalies, and an examination of the helicopter revealed no evidence of  mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation; therefore, the reason for the noise and vibration could not be determined.        

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.