# NTSB ERA12CA179: Robinson Helicopter R44, N5511L, N. Charleston, SC, February 13, 2012 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: February 13, 2012, 12:00 local (17:00 UTC) - Place: N. Charleston, SC - Coordinates: 32.876667, -79.958885 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.8767&lon=-79.9589&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Emergency descent](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/600) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Autorotation: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 28, 2012 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 82888 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA12CA179 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/82888/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=82888 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA12CA179 ## Probable cause The flight instructor’s failure to apply power during a practice autorotation in order to arrest a high rate of descent, which resulted in an in-flight collision with terrain. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Action: lack of action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Instructor/check pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030/cases.md?model=7640120), [All aircraft, 792 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: descent rate](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062037): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062037/cases.md?model=7640120), [All aircraft, 242 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062037/cases.md) - [Engine controls](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057600): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Not used/operated (probable cause); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057600/cases.md?model=7640120), [All aircraft, 51 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057600/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering: Simulated/training event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/600); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/600/sequence.md?model=7640120), [All aircraft, 173 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/600/sequence.md) - [Autorotation: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900) (defining event); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44, 13 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md?model=7640120), [All aircraft, 1,556 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md) - [Autorotation: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44, 56 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7640120), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) - [Other: Roll over](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/097); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44, 17 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/097/sequence.md?model=7640120), [All aircraft, 261 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/097/sequence.md) ## Analysis The certified flight instructor (CFI) reported that, after takeoff, the student pilot practiced hovering maneuvers then practiced a straight-in autorotation with a planned power recovery. The student pilot initiated the autorotation between 300 and 400 feet above the ground with a 5- to 6-knot tailwind. During the descent, the helicopter descended faster than anticipated, and, although the student pilot initiated a flare to arrest the descent, by that point, the helicopter was too low and still descending too fast. Just before the skids hit a mound of dirt and rock that was about 6- to 8-feet tall, the CFI took the controls but was unable to arrest the descent. The CFI did not apply power but attempted to back off the mound and turn around. Because the engine was at idle power and the rotor rpm was decreasing, the helicopter spun and came to rest on its left side. The CFI reported that there was no preimpact mechanic failure or malfunction. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the tailboom and also to the right side of the helicopter in the area of the right aft skid. ## Factual narrative The certified flight instructor (CFI) reported that after takeoff, hovering was performed followed by a practice straight-in autorotation with a planned power recovery. The autorotation was initiated between 300 and 400 feet with a 5 to 6 knot tailwind. During the descent they descended faster than anticipated and near the end of the autorotation they “…lost all our lift and started our flare to try and slow us down, but by that point we were too low and still descending sic [to] fast.” The skids hit a mound of dirt and rock which was about 6 to 8 feet above ground level, and he did not apply power, but attempted to back off the mound and turn around. Because the engine was at idle power and decreasing rotor rpm, the helicopter spun and came to rest on its left side. The CFI further reported there was no preimpact mechanic failure or malfunction. Digital pictures provided by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector-in-charge depict structural damage to the tailboom, and also the right side of the helicopter in the area of the right aft skid. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5511L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5511L-2012-04-23), registration cancelled 2012-04-23, S/N 1769, built 2007 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: ROBINSON HELICOPTER R44 - Registry model: [Robinson Helicopter R44](https://openairdocs.org/model/robinson-helicopter-r44) (registry code 7640120) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O-540-F1B5](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-540-f1b5) (registry code 42353, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 1769 - Airframe hours: 215 - Engines: LYCOMING O-540-F1B5 260 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Charleston Helicopters, doing business as Charleston Helicopters - Registered owner: Vertical D, LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 17, 2011 - Departed: CHS, N. Charleston, SC - Destination: CHS, N. Charleston, SC ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Flight instructor; age 27; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review October 17, 2011; seat: left; flight hours: 866 total, 223 in this make and model, 715 as pilot in command, 236 in the last 90 days, 95 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours - Student pilot; age 19; injuries: none; seat: right; flight hours: 86 total, 68 in this make and model, 60 in the last 90 days, 27 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 12 °F - Altimeter: 30.30 inHg - Observed at: CHS ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20120213001969A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120213001969A), Feb 13, 2012: Robinson Helicopter R44, Charleston, SC, Destroyed. The pilot in command (PIC) , a certificated flight instructor, and a student pilot, were performing an auto rotation to ground. The PIC statement indicated… ## Docket (7 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 21, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=82888. 2.5 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 658 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40366339&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Weather Reports and Records (item 2, .PDF, 188 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40366362&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Reports%20and%20Records-Master.PDF - Statement from Certified Flight Instructor (item 3, .PDF, 99 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40366355&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Statement%20from%20Certified%20Flight%20Instructor-Redacted.PDF - Statement from Student (item 4, .PDF, 43 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40366356&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Statement%20from%20Student-Redacted.PDF - NTSB Record of Conversation with Certified Flight Instructor (item 5, .PDF, 56 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40366379&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=NTSB%20Record%20of%20Conversation%20with%20Certified%20Flight%20Instructor-Redacted.PDF - Photo 1: Digital Picture Provided by FAA. View Depicting the Helicopter at the Accident Site. (item 6, .PDF, 704 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40366465&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%3A%20Digital%20Picture%20Provided%20by%20FAA.%20View%20Depicting%20the%20Helicopter%20at%20the%20Accident%20Site.-Master.PDF - Photo 2: Digital Picture Provided by FAA. View Depicting the Helicopter at the Accident Site. Note the Structural Damage to the Tailboom and also to the Skin Deformation Near the Right Aft Skid. (item 7, .PDF, 792 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40366466&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%3A%20Digital%20Picture%20Provided%20by%20FAA.%20View%20Depicting%20the%20Helicopter%20at%20the%20Accident%20Site.%20Note%20the%20Structural%20Damage%20to%20the%20Tailboom%20and%20also%20to%20the%20Skin%20Deformation%20Near%20the%20Right%20Aft%20Skid.-Master.PDF From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.