# NTSB GAA19CA226: Guimbal Cabri, N367PA, McMinnville, OR, April 26, 2019 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: April 26, 2019, 16:15 local (23:15 UTC) - Place: McMinnville, OR - Coordinates: 45.194442, -123.136108 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.1944&lon=-123.1361&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 27, 2020 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 99333 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA19CA226 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/99333/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=99333 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA226 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper landing flare during a turning, full-down autorotation, which resulted in a lower-than-normal rotor rpm, a faster-than-normal ground run speed, and the subsequent loss of directional control, a runway excursion, and a roll-over. Contributing to the accident was the flight instructor's delayed remedial action. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: landing flare](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Helicopteres Guimbal CABRI G2, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md?model=9000001), [All aircraft, 1,285 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Student/instructed pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Helicopteres Guimbal CABRI G2, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=9000001), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: prop/rotor parameters](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062052): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Helicopteres Guimbal CABRI G2, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062052/cases.md?model=9000001), [All aircraft, 182 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062052/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Helicopteres Guimbal CABRI G2, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=9000001), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Action: delayed action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Instructor/check pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Helicopteres Guimbal CABRI G2, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md?model=9000001), [All aircraft, 894 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Simulated/training event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/600); cases with it: [Helicopteres Guimbal CABRI G2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/600/sequence.md?model=9000001), [All aircraft, 173 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/600/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090); cases with it: [Helicopteres Guimbal CABRI G2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=9000001), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Helicopteres Guimbal CABRI G2, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=9000001), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Helicopteres Guimbal CABRI G2, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=9000001), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Helicopteres Guimbal CABRI G2, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=9000001), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Roll over](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/097); cases with it: [Helicopteres Guimbal CABRI G2, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/097/sequence.md?model=9000001), [All aircraft, 261 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/097/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that the purpose of the training flight was to complete multiple simulated, engine failure autorotations without a power recovery (full-down autorotation). After he completed his first right, 180º turn, full-down autorotation, the airspeed was "too slow." He added that the instructor told him to maintain more speed during the right turn of his second attempt, and the pilot focused on maintaining more airspeed, but the descent rate increased "due to the speed." The pilot added that, after he completed the right turn and aligned with the runway centerline, he felt that the airspeed was fast, so he flared to reduce the ground speed and increase the main rotor rpm. However, the helicopter started to sink during the flare, so due to the low altitude, the pilot leveled the helicopter to prevent a tail strike. The helicopter touched down on its skids with "substantial" ground speed and veered slightly right. The pilot applied full left cyclic and pedal input, but the helicopter continued to veer right. The helicopter exited the runway and rolled over on its left side. The fuselage and main rotor blades were substantially damaged. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation. The flight instructor reported that the 180º right turn aligned the helicopter with the runway centerline but at a lower altitude than was desirable because it prevented the pilot from conducting a normal flare "as the tail would have struck the runway." He added that, a normal flare before touchdown in a full-down autorotation would result in a 30º nose-up attitude, but the pilot was only able to achieve about a 10º nose-up attitude "for fear of damaging the tail." ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that the purpose of the training flight was to complete multiple simulated, engine failure autorotations without a power recovery (full-down autorotation). After he completed his first right, 180º turn, full-down autorotation, the airspeed was "too slow." He added that the instructor told him to maintain more speed during the right turn of his second attempt, and the pilot focused on maintaining more airspeed, but the descent rate increased "due to the speed." The pilot added that, after he completed the right turn and aligned with the runway centerline, he felt that the airspeed was fast, so he flared to reduce the ground speed and increase the main rotor rpm. However, the helicopter started to sink during the flare, so due to the low altitude, the pilot leveled the helicopter to prevent a tail strike. The helicopter touched down on its skids with "substantial" ground speed and veered slightly right. The pilot applied full left cyclic and pedal input, but the helicopter continued to veer right. The helicopter exited the runway and rolled over on its left side. The fuselage and main rotor blades were substantially damaged. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation. The flight instructor reported that the 180º right turn aligned the helicopter with the runway centerline but at a lower altitude than was desirable because it prevented the pilot from conducting a normal flare "as the tail would have struck the runway." He added that, a normal flare before touchdown in a full-down autorotation would result in a 30º nose-up attitude, but the pilot was only able to achieve about a 10º nose-up attitude "for fear of damaging the tail." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N367PA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N367PA-2019-07-09), registration cancelled 2019-07-09, S/N 1108, built 2015 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Guimbal CABRI (G2) - Registry model: [Helicopteres Guimbal CABRI G2](https://openairdocs.org/model/helicopteres-guimbal-cabri-g2) (registry code 9000001) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O-360-J2A](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-360-j2a) (registry code 42314, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 1108 - Year built: 2015 - Airframe hours: 1733.3 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-J2A 145 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Precision Flight Training Inc - Registered owner: Precision Flight Training Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, April 26, 2019 - Departed: MMV, Mc Minnville, OR - Destination: MMV, Mc Minnville, OR - Flight plan: Company VFR - Airport: MMV, Mc Minnville Muni, runway 17, 4,340 × 75 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Electronic flight bag or handheld device, ADS-B, Satellite tracking device ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 28; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review February 15, 2019; seat: right; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 728.9 total, 457.8 in this make and model, 625.4 as pilot in command, 113.1 in the last 90 days, 55.2 in the last 30 days, 3.9 in the last 24 hours - Flight instructor; age 51; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review April 7, 2019; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 3,359.3 total, 2,189 in this make and model, 3,303 as pilot in command, 114 in the last 90 days, 53 in the last 30 days, 7 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 43 °F - Altimeter: 30.19 inHg - Observed at: KMMV ## 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 20190426003439A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20190426003439A), Apr 26, 2019: Helicopteres Guimbal CABRI G2, Mcminnville, OR, Substantial damage. During the touch down portion of a practice, 180-degree, full-down autorotation, the helicopter contacted the ground with approximately 30 knots of ground… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 15, 2020, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=99333. 840 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 552 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40485396&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Record of Memorandum (item 2, .PDF, 108 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40485397&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Memorandum-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (item 3, .PDF, 1 photo, 181 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40485398&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photo-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.