WPR10FA277

A loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination of the airframe and engine did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation and the student pilot's failure to maintain main rotor rpm. Contributing to the accident was the student pilot's low total flight experience.

After flying one time around the traffic pattern with the student pilot, who had made three previous solo flights, the flight instructor exited the helicopter. The student then completed about five touch-and-go landings. On the next approach, the helicopter appeared to be at a normal altitude and attitude for the base leg. The engine sputtered, and several witnesses heard one or two pops, and the rotor sounds went silent. Pieces flew off the helicopter, and then it began to spin clockwise, went nose low, and fell straight to the ground. One witness stated that the tail was v-shaped. Examination of the wreckage revealed strike marks consistent with main rotor blade contact with the tail boom, which separated from the airframe. The examination also revealed witness marks consistent with the engine not rotating at ground impact. The instructor observed the student pilot use carburetor heat while he was on board, but it could not be determined if it was applied on the accident flight. The conditions encountered in this accident were conducive for serious icing at cruise power. Due to numerous approaches in short succession, the engine may have never completely warmed to the point where it would shed all ice on each approach. The accumulation could have finally built up to the point that it caused a loss of engine power and subsequent low main rotor blade rpm condition if the student did not immediately lower the collective. However, it could not be determined if carburetor icing occurred. A safety notice issued by the helicopter’s manufacturer noted that main rotor blade stall due to low main rotor blade rpm caused a very high percentage of helicopter accidents. It pointed out that the stall would cause the main rotor blade rpm to rapidly decrease and lead to an immediate uncontrolled descent.

HISTORY OF FLIGHT On June 2, 2010, about 1630 Pacific daylight time, a Robinson R22 Beta, N522SA, experienced a main rotor blade strike, which separated the tail boom in flight, while in the landing pattern at Felts Field, Spokane, Washington. Inland Helicopters, Inc., was operating the helicopter under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91. The student pilot sustained fatal injuries; the helicopter sustained substantial damage to the airframe and main rotor blades (MRB) from impact forces. The local instructional flight departed about 1600. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. The student pilot flew in the traffic pattern with a certified flight instructor, and made a full stop landing on runway 21L. The instructor determined that the student was competent to continue flying solo, and exited the helicopter. This was the student pilot’s fourth solo flight. The student completed about five more touch-and-go landings. On the accident flight, the student reported downwind to the air traffic control tower (ATCT), and the tower controller stated that he cleared the student for landing. He observed the helicopter on base leg; it appeared to be at a normal altitude and attitude. He did not observe any smoke or anything falling from the helicopter. He looked away for a few seconds; when he looked back up, he did not see it. Witnesses on the ground observed the helicopter flying the base leg at altitudes similar to what they had observed other helicopters in the past. Several witnesses heard one or two pops. One witness stated that the rotor sounds went silent, and the engine sputtered prior to hearing the popping sounds. Some witnesses saw pieces fly off the helicopter, and then it began to spin clockwise. One witness stated that it was V-shaped before it went nose low, and fell straight to the ground. PERSONNEL INFORMATION The 29-year-old pilot held a combined student pilot and second-class aviation medical certificate. It had the limitation that the pilot must wear corrective lenses. An examination of the pilot's logbook indicated an estimated total flight time of 32 hours. He logged 26 hours in the last 90 days, and 11 hours in the last 30 days. He had completed three previous solo flights as pilot-in-command time for a total of 3.3 hours; all were in this make and model. He received an endorsement from a CFI December 21, 2009, stating that he had received the awareness training for the R22 as specified in SFAR 73. This SFAR specified ground training that discussed low rotor rpm (blade stall), rotor rpm decay, and energy management among other topics. The SFAR required at least 10 hours of dual flight instruction that included enhanced training in autorotation procedures, engine rotor rpm control without the use of the governor, low rotor rpm recognition and recovery, and effects of low G maneuvers and proper recovery. AIRCRAFT INFORMATION The helicopter was a Robinson R22 Beta, serial number 3788. A review of the maintenance logbooks indicated that the helicopter had a total airframe time of 2,600 hours at the annual inspection on January 2, 2010. The last 100-hour inspection was on April 15, 2010, at a Hobbs time of 2,696. The Hobbs meter read 2,790.7 at the accident site. The engine was a Textron Lycoming O-360-J2A, serial number L-38145-36A. Total time recorded on the engine at the 100-hour inspection on April 15, 2010, was 1,219 hours, and time since major overhaul was 496 hours. METEOROLOGICAL INFORMATION The airport weather observation station for Spokane (KGEG) issued an aviation routine weather report (METAR) at 1653 PDT. It stated: wind from 190 degrees at 12 knots gusting to 18 knots; visibility 10 miles; sky 1,700 feet scattered, 3,000 feet broken, 5,000 feet overcast; temperature 15/59 degrees Celsius/Fahrenheit; dew point 12/54 degrees Celsius/Fahrenheit; altimeter 29.70 inches of mercury; and relative humidity 83%. COMMUNICATIONS The helicopter was in contact with Felts ATCT on frequency 132.5. AIRPORT INFORMATION The Airport/ Facility Directory, Northwest U. S., indicated runway 21 was 4,500 feet long and 150 feet wide. The runway surface was concrete. WRECKAGE AND IMPACT INFORMATION Investigators from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and Robinson Helicopter Company (RHC) examined the wreckage at the accident scene. The debris path was along a northerly direction, and encompassed an area about 500 feet long by 200 feet wide. The orientation of the fuselage was an estimated 160 degrees. The tail boom separated into a couple of pieces. The first identified piece of wreckage in the debris field was the aft end of the tail boom with the tail rotor gearbox and a piece of tail rotor driveshaft attached. The front part of the tail boom and tail rotor drive shaft separated at a rivet line that was about 2 feet aft of the engine. This piece had an impression along a 45-degree angle that was similar in dimension to a main rotor blade (MRB). One tail rotor blade separated about 4 inches from the blade attachment point. The main wreckage came to rest in the back yard of a residence on its right side. The cabin area was imbedded in the ground, and the right side of the cockpit was crushed inboard to the centerline of the helicopter. The edge of the house was about 10 feet northeast of the wreckage, and investigators did not identify any damage to it, or a child’s plastic play station that was 10 feet west. Likewise, investigators observed no damage on 15-foot-high power/phone line wires that were 7 feet to the north, or an estimated 50-foot-tall tree that was about 30 feet north. All ground scars were immediately below the corresponding component, such as skids, mast, and main rotor blades. The ground scars below the main rotor blades were crisp and distinct, and there was no evidence of rotation. The ground smelled of aviation gasoline. The gascolator contained a blue fluid that smelled like aviation gasoline; it contained no debris or contamination. The fuel screens in the main and auxiliary fuel tanks were clear. First responders reported that they turned the fuel selector valve to the OFF position. The carburetor heat control knob was unlocked and pulled out 1.7 inches, which equated to 56% of travel. Investigators established system continuity, but could not operate it because of binding due to crush damage. The carburetor heat slider valve in the carburetor heat box was in the on position. In normal operation, it was pushed closed and pulled open. The governor OFF light filament was broken, but not stretched. The oil pressure bulb sustained crush damage. MEDICAL AND PATHOLOGICAL INFORMATION The Spokane County Office of the Medical Examiner completed an autopsy, and ruled the cause of death as numerous blunt force traumas. The FAA Forensic Toxicology Research Team, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, performed toxicological testing of specimens of the pilot. Analysis of the specimens contained no findings for carbon monoxide, cyanide, volatiles, and tested drugs. TESTS AND RESEARCH Investigators from the NTSB, Robinson, and the operator examined the wreckage at Discount Salvage, Deer Park, Washington. Detailed examination notes are in the public docket. Airframe The flight controls had several disconnects; the fracture surfaces were jagged and angular. Some push pull tubes were buckled. The intermediate flex coupling was distorted and separated. The fuel screens in the main and auxiliary fuel tanks were clear. No preimpact anomalies were detected that would have precluded normal operation of the airframe. Engine Examination The starter ring gear showed no signs of rotational scoring. The oil cooler had an impression next to the starter ring gear with the same size and spacing of the teeth on the gear. A similar impressio