ARLINGTON, TX, USA
N2770X
BELL L4 EXPERIMENTAL
THE FLIGHT TEST PILOT WAS CONDUCTING HEIGHT/VELOCITY MANEUVERS ON THE MANUFACTURERS NEW HELICOPTER. A PLANNED AUTOROTATION WAS INITIATED TO THE RUNWAY. A HARD LANDING OCCURRED, AND A MAIN ROTORBLADE CONTACTED THE TAILBOOM, SEVERING IT. AN EYEWITNESS STATED THE HELICOPTER TOUCHED DOWN ON THE REAR SKIDS AND BOUNCED SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE THE TAILBOOM SEPARATED. NO MECHANICAL FAILURE WAS REPORTED BY THE PILOT.
THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE ROTOR RPM DURING THE PLANNED AUTOROTATION AND HIS IMPROPER TOUCHDOWN.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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