Casualties unknown

2000-07-14: Robinson R-22 BETA (N169CW) — Group Three Aviation — Lake Piru, CA

Lake Piru, CA, US

On July 14, 2000, a Robinson R-22 BETA (registration N169CW) operated by Group Three Aviation was involved in an aviation accident near Lake Piru, CA. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The commercial pilot placed the cyclic too far back, causing the main rotor blade to come into contact with the tailboom assembly. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 1781061362Data APIEditorial standards

During autorotation practice for a check ride, a commercial pilot's cyclic input caused a main rotor blade to strike the tailboom.

Incident Overview

A flight instructor and a commercial pilot were practicing full touchdown autorotations in preparation for the commercial pilot's flight instructor check ride. On the first attempt, the commercial pilot placed the cyclic too far forward. On the second attempt, the commercial pilot placed the cyclic too far back, resulting in the main rotor blade contacting the tailboom assembly.

Sequence of Events

The training session involved multiple autorotation attempts. The instructor reported that during the first attempt, the cyclic was positioned excessively forward. During the second attempt, the cyclic was positioned excessively rearward, leading to the main rotor blade striking the tailboom.

Aircraft and Personnel

The aircraft involved was a rotorcraft (as evidenced by the main rotor and tailboom). The occupants were a flight instructor and a commercial pilot. The purpose of the training was to prepare for the commercial pilot's flight instructor check ride.

Subsequent Actions

The incident resulted in damage to the tailboom assembly. No further details about the aftermath or any injuries were provided in the source.

Probable cause

The commercial pilot placed the cyclic too far back, causing the main rotor blade to come into contact with the tailboom assembly.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001212X21507. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.