Accident Overview
On September 14, 2015, at approximately 1530 central daylight time, a Robinson R44 II helicopter, registration N442CF, experienced a hard landing during a practice autorotation maneuver. The helicopter was registered to Alice Environmental Services LP of Alice, Texas. The local flight was conducted under Federal Aviation Regulations part 91. The commercial pilot and a passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The flight departed from King Ranch, Alice, Texas, around 1445.
Pilot and Passenger Accounts
The pilot reported that he was practicing emergency maneuvers. After two successful power recovery practice autorotations, he set up for a third. During the third attempt, he intended to maneuver the helicopter to a specific spot on the ground, flare, and then terminate in a hover. He stated that the maneuver progressed normally until the flare, when he noticed a vibration in the rotor. He immediately attempted a power recovery but found that the power was not available. He then leveled the helicopter and used the remaining collective to soften the landing. Upon ground contact, the helicopter separated from its skids and rolled onto its side. Both occupants exited the helicopter without injury.
The passenger stated that the previous two autorotations were successful. During the third autorotation, when the pilot began to increase throttle, the passenger did not hear the engine revving or the governor engaging. He reported that the helicopter wobbled left and right before landing. The helicopter hit the ground level, bounced, and rolled onto its left side. The rotors struck the ground. The passenger expected to hear the engine sound but did not.
Damage and Examination
An FAA inspector examined the wreckage at the accident site. Both skids were fractured away from the helicopter. One main rotor blade was fractured in half, and the fuselage was buckled. Inspection of the airframe and engine revealed no mechanical anomalies other than impact damage.
Probable Cause
Not provided.