# NTSB GAA15CA280: Robinson Helicopter R44, N44XL, West Palm Beach, FL, September 22, 2015 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: September 22, 2015, 10:30 local (14:30 UTC) - Place: West Palm Beach, FL - Coordinates: 26.59111, -80.081947 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.5911&lon=-80.0819&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 5, 2015 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 92080 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA15CA280 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/92080/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=92080 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA15CA280 ## Probable cause The flight instructor's improper use of pitch control during a demonstrated 180 degree autorotation which resulted in damage to the tail boom. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Instructor/check pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: pitch control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [All aircraft, 526 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022/cases.md) - [Fuselage: rotorcraft tail boom](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035302): Aircraft › Aircraft structures · Damaged/degraded; cases with it: [All aircraft, 12 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035302/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: Simulated/training event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/600); cases with it: [All aircraft, 173 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/600/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090) (defining event); cases with it: [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md) ## Analysis The helicopter flight instructor reported that during a local instructional flight, he was demonstrating a 180 degree autorotation to the ground. The flight instructor reported he entered the autorotation and everything was normal. During the flare, too much aft cyclic input was used and the helicopter touched down on the heels of the skids. The flight instructor reported the touchdown was not excessively hard or uneven. A post flight examination of the helicopter revealed that the main rotor blade had contacted the tail boom, causing substantial damage to the tail boom. The flight instructor reported that there were no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The helicopter flight instructor reported that during a local instructional flight, he was demonstrating a 180 degree autorotation to the ground. The flight instructor reported he entered the autorotation and everything was normal. During the flare, too much aft cyclic input was used and the helicopter touched down on the heels of the skids. The flight instructor reported the touchdown was not excessively hard or uneven. A post flight examination of the helicopter revealed that the main rotor blade had contacted the tail boom, causing substantial damage to the tail boom. The flight instructor reported that there were no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: N44XL (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: ROBINSON HELICOPTER R44 - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 1006 - Year built: 2001 - Airframe hours: 4437 - Engines: LYCOMING O-540-F1B5 260 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Airmen Testing And Training Inc., doing business as Palm Beach Helicopters - Registered owner: Rotor Me LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 24, 2015 - Departed: LNA, West Palm Beach, FL - Destination: LNA, West Palm Beach, FL - Flight plan: Company VFR - Airport: LNA, Palm Beach County Park, runway 09, 3,489 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Flight instructor; age 30; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review April 22, 2015; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 1,146 total, 395 in this make and model, 1,063 as pilot in command, 62 in the last 90 days, 32 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours - Student pilot; age 36; injuries: none; private; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review August 17, 2015; seat: right; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 122 total, 6 in this make and model, 83 as pilot in command, 48 in the last 90 days, 25 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 20° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 72 °F - Altimeter: 29.95 inHg - Observed at: KPBI, 5 nm away ## 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 20150922016629A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20150922016629A), Sep 22, 2015: Robinson Helicopter R44, Lantana, FL, Substantial damage. 9/22 @ 10:30 Am EDT, lake worth, FL. Robinson R44 (N44XL), a/c touched down hard which caused rotor to strike tail boom damaging a/c. 2 POB, no injuries.… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 29, 2015, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=92080. 2.5 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40433316&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Memorandum for Record – Telephone Interview, Pilot (item 2, .PDF, 90 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40433317&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20Record%20%E2%80%93%20Telephone%20Interview,%20Pilot-Master.PDF - Photo (item 3, .PDF, 539 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40433318&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo-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.