What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 2003-05-08 involved a Bell 206-L4, registration N70TV, at Aurora, CO.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

inadequate infligt planning/decision by the flight crew and the check pilot's failure to initiate remedial action in a timely manner. Contributing factors were the pilot-in-command's inadequate supervision of the check pilot, the check pilot's lack of recency of high altitude experience, and the high density altitude.

Helicopter Accident During Simulated Autorotation Training at Centennial Airport (N70TV)

On May 8, 2003, a Bell 206-L4 (registration N70TV) was involved in an aviation accident near Aurora, CO. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: inadequate infligt planning/decision by the flight crew and the check pilot's failure to initiate remedial action in a timely manner. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.

During a simulated power loss training flight, a helicopter's rotor speed decayed after delayed power application, leading to a hard landing, bounce, spin, and rollover.

Incident Sequence

The pilot-in-command (PIC) reported that the helicopter was returning to Centennial Airport in Englewood, Colorado, following a news filming mission. The PIC allowed the check pilot (CP) to fly the helicopter and simulated a power loss by bumping the throttle. The CP turned into the wind and slowed the helicopter to 60 knots. The PIC consulted with the CP to confirm the landing location and recovery procedures, including maintaining rotor rpm in the green arc and applying full throttle at 200 feet above ground level (agl).

The CP initiated a flare at 75 feet agl but did not apply power until the helicopter was 20 feet agl. Rotor speed decayed, and the helicopter struck the ground, bounced, spun 180 degrees, and rolled over onto its left side.

Pilot Statements

According to the CP, the PIC initiated a forced landing. The CP wrote, "I entered the [autorotation] and turned into the wind. During the power recovery, the engine did not respond in a timely manner and ground contact was the result."

Investigation Findings

An FAA inspector interviewed the crew and noted that the CP lacked recent helicopter experience involving operations above 5,000 feet. The investigation attributed the accident to a lack of prior planning between the two pilots. According to the inspector, "the [CP] assumed that the PIC was going to reapply the throttle for a power recovery. At the same time, the [PIC] assumed that the [CP] was going to apply power [to recover]. The result of this lack of CRM (cockpit resource management) was that the power was applied at a point where the descent rate could not be arrested."

Aircraft Information

At the time of the accident, the helicopter was carrying approximately 400 pounds of fuel, television cameras and other equipment, and a cameraman. The density altitude was computed to be 7,143 feet mean sea level.

2003-05-08: Bell 206-L4 (N70TV) — Aurora, CO