GERALD, MO, USA
N4891H
ROTORWAY EXECUTIVE
THE STU PIC WAS SOLO ON A X-COUNTRY FLT WHEN THE ENG BACKFIRED. THE STU ENTERED AUTOROTATION WITH LOW ROTOR RPM WHICH ACCELERATED THE DESCENT RATE. THE STU FLARED BEFORE TOUCHDOWN BUT DID NOT LEVEL THE HELO IN TIME TO LAND. THE TAILBOOM STRUCK THE GND AND THE HELO ROTATED ON ITS SIDE. THE STU STATED THAT THE LNDG SITE HE HAD CHOSEN CONSISTED OF SLOPING TERRAIN. THE STU STATED THAT HE FLARED AND THE TAILBOOM STRUCK THE UPSLOPING TERRAIN. THE STU STATED THAT HAD HE LEVELED OFF AT THE APPROPRIATE TIME HE PROBABLY WOULD HAVE BEEN SUCCESSFUL. THE ENG INSP REVEALED THAT THE ENG TIMING BELT HAD SLIPPED, EFFECTIVELY DISABLING THE ENG.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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