Accident Sequence
The pilot was performing an autorotation as part of a biennial flight review. He climbed the helicopter to 800 feet above ground level (AGL) and reduced airspeed to 80 miles per hour. After lowering the collective and rolling off the throttle to split the needles, the needles did not split. As he continued to roll off the throttle, he observed the rotor rpm in the low green area, and the helicopter began to descend rapidly. Within five seconds, the helicopter descended and landed hard against a bank rising from a swamp.
Post-Accident Investigation
A post-accident investigation revealed that the pilot's collective was in the full up position. Control continuity was established from the pilot's collective and cyclic controls to the main rotor system. The left collective and left cyclic sustained impact damage. No pre-impact abnormalities were observed.
Pilot Experience
The first pilot receiving the biennial flight review reported over 499 hours of flight experience in this make and model of helicopter and used the aircraft in a scenic ride business. The second pilot had logged over 5,186 hours of total helicopter flight experience, including 4 hours in this make and model, which he logged 30 years ago. Since his biennial in a Cessna 150, he logged over 150 hours of helicopter time.