Accident Details
On May 7, 2009, at approximately 0800 eastern daylight time, a Robinson R22 Beta, registration N456SH, operated by a private individual, experienced a hard landing during an autorotative landing near Winter Haven, Florida. The helicopter was substantially damaged; the certificated private pilot was not injured. The flight was conducted under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight, originating from Winter Haven's Gilbert Airport (GIF) about 0745. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed.
Pilot Account
The pilot reported that after takeoff, he remained in the traffic pattern for runway 11 and executed practice autorotative landings with power recovery. During the downwind leg for another practice autorotation, while flying at 600 to 625 feet mean sea level with the governor on, he applied carburetor heat. Five seconds later, he perceived by sound that the engine had quit. He turned onto base leg and attempted to restart the engine, but allowed the main rotor rpm to decrease to 87 percent. He then stopped restart attempts and initiated descent for an autorotative landing. He maintained 65 knots during the descent. At 40 feet above ground, with obstacles ahead (mobile homes), he intentionally slowed the helicopter. At 20 feet above ground, he pulled collective, which activated the main rotor rpm warning and resulted in a hard landing.
Examination
Examination of the accident site by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) airworthiness inspector revealed that the helicopter landed 100 yards short of the mobile homes. A portion of the tailboom was separated, and the main rotor blades were bent and wrinkled. The throttle, mixture, and carburetor heat control rigging were found to be correct. The fuel gascolator and bowl were clean. Following recovery of the helicopter with the main rotor blades removed, an FAA inspector observed the engine start and operate to idle rpm.
Weather Conditions
According to an FAA Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin, based on the temperature and dew point (75 and 66 degrees Fahrenheit, respectively), the conditions were favorable for serious carburetor icing while at glide power.