On October 29, 2005, a Robinson R-22 BETA (registration N8176B) was involved in an aviation accident near Doylestown, PA. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The flight instructor's inadequate remedial action, which resulted in a hard landing and subsequent rollover. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A helicopter experienced a hard impact and dynamic rollover during hovering autorotation practice from about 3 feet. The flight instructor reported normal performance, and no mechanical issues were found.
Flight Details
A flight instructor and a student pilot were conducting training in a helicopter, practicing hovering autorotations from an altitude of approximately 3 feet above the ground.
Incident Sequence
The student pilot initiated the maneuver by cutting the throttle. As the helicopter descended, the flight instructor could not recall whether he or the student pilot was manipulating the collective pitch control. The helicopter subsequently struck the ground with a hard impact and then began a dynamic rollover.
Post-Inspection
The flight instructor stated that the helicopter's performance at the time of the incident was "fine." An inspection conducted by an FAA inspector revealed no mechanical abnormalities with the helicopter.