Aviation Accident Summary GAA20CA035

Overton, NV, USA

Aircraft #1

N4066S

Robinson R22

Analysis

The flight instructor reported that he told the pilot receiving instruction in the helicopter to shoot an approach to a sandbar in a riverbed. The pilot approached to the south, and the wind was between about 20 to 25 knots from the south. About 20 ft above ground level, the instructor took the flight controls due to a steep and fast approach and initiated a go-around. He performed a climbing left turn to the north, and subsequently the helicopter descended, and he was unable to maneuver it into the wind. The helicopter landed hard, bounced, and yawed right. The helicopter contacted the ground again and rolled onto its left side. The main rotor blades struck the ground, and the tailboom separated. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the tailboom. The instructor reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.

Factual Information

The flight instructor in the helicopter reported that he instructed the pilot receiving instruction to shoot an approach to a sandbar in a riverbed. The pilot approached to the south and the wind was about 20 to 25 knots from the south. About 20 ft above the ground, the instructor took the flight controls due to a steep and fast approach and initiated a go-around. He performed a climbing left turn to the north. The helicopter descended and he was unable to maneuver the helicopter into the wind. The helicopter landed hard, bounced, and yawed to the right. The helicopter contacted the ground again and rolled onto the left side. The main rotor blades struck the ground and the tailboom separated. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the tailboom. The flight instructor reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.

Probable Cause and Findings

The pilot’s failure to maintain a proper approach and the flight instructor's subsequent failure to maintain an adequate climb rate during an attempted go-around in gusting tailwind conditions, which resulted in a hard landing and dynamic rollover.

 

Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database

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