MIAMI, FL, USA
N931KC
ROBINSON R-22
The pilot stated she was in cruise flight with the cabin doors removed, when she looked outside and her glasses blew off. She directed the passenger, who has a private pilot, single engine land airplane rating to fly the helicopter, while she looked outside trying to locate her glasses. The passenger descended to 4 to 5 feet agl, and made two low passes over the field, while she continued to look for her glasses. She heard the passenger state, 'Lori, Lori,' and heard the rotor rpm horn blaring. She took the the flight controls and lowered the collective pitch. The helicopter collided with the ground, and rolled over on its right side.
On January 13, 1994, about 1630 eastern standard time, a Robinson R22, N931KC, registered to Husta Aviation, operating as a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, collided with terrain in cruise flight. The helicopter was destroyed. The commercial pilot and passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The flight originated from Opa Locka, Florida, about 15 minutes before the accident. The pilot stated that she was operating with the cabin doors removed from the helicopter. While in cruise flight between 100 to 300 feet agl she looked outside of the helicopter and her glasses blew off. She directed the passenger, who has a private pilot with a single engine land airplane rating, to fly the helicopter while she looked outside trying to locate her glasses. The passenger descended to 4 to 5 feet agl, and made two low passes over the field while she continued to look for her glasses. She heard the passenger state, "Lori, Lori," and heard the rotor rpm horn blaring. She took the flight controls and lowered the collective pitch. The helicopter collided with the ground and rolled over on its right side. Review of airman records on file with the Federal Aviation Administration, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, revealed the pilot did not hold an instructor rating in helicopters. The passenger did not hold an airman rating in helicopters, and his medical certificate is expired.
The pilot-in-command's improper supervision of an unqualified pilot while maneuvering at a low altitude. This resulted in a loss in rotor rpm due to improper flight control input (upward collective pitch), and subsequent in-flight collision with terrain.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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