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An R44 made an autorotation to an emergency landing when the engine would not produce rated power.
| Attributes | |
| ACN | 849935 |
| Time | |
| Date | 200908 |
| Local Time Of Day | 0001-0600 |
| Place | |
| Locale Reference | ZZZ.Airport |
| State Reference | US |
| Environment | |
| Flight Conditions | VMC |
| Aircraft 1 | |
| Make Model Name | Robinson R44 |
| Operating Under FAR Part | Part 91 |
| Flight Phase | Initial Climb |
| Route In Use | None |
| Flight Plan | None |
| Component | |
| Aircraft Component | Engine |
| Person 1 | |
| Function | Single Pilot Pilot Flying |
| Qualification | Flight Crew Instrument Flight Crew Flight Instructor Flight Crew Commercial |
| Experience | Flight Crew Last 90 Days 246.6 Flight Crew Total 1519.4 Flight Crew Type 816.7 |
| Events | |
| Anomaly | Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical |
Narrative:
I departed on a city tour. I was carrying 3 passengers with a combined weight of 520 pounds. I was carrying approximately 43 gallons of avgas; putting the aircraft at maximum gross weight; and within the weight and balance limitations. Upon lifting off into a hover; I performed a power check to ensure I had enough power to takeoff. During the hover; I pulled approximately 25 inches of manifold pressure; which was expected considering the load. On climb-out; I recognized a slow rate of climb (approximately 300 FPM); and by the time I was 1.5 miles out; I was only at approximately 250 feet. At that point I began my turn in-land to continue my climb and cross the city. During the 90 degree right turn; I felt an immediate drop in my seat; followed by an immediate yaw-left of the helicopter and the sound of the low RPM horn. Instinctively; I entered an autorotation and headed towards the sand. Once in the autorotation; I looked down at my tachometer to notice the main rotor blades were pegged at the top of the gauge. I continued the autorotation; and landed safely in the sand. The passengers were unharmed and no physical damage was done to the aircraft. The engine was still running on impact so I immediately shut down the aircraft and cleared the area of any bystanders.
Original NASA ASRS Text
Title: An R44 made an autorotation to an emergency landing when the engine would not produce rated power.
Narrative: I departed on a City Tour. I was carrying 3 passengers with a combined weight of 520 LBS. I was carrying approximately 43 gallons of AvGas; putting the aircraft at maximum gross weight; and within the weight and balance limitations. Upon lifting off into a hover; I performed a power check to ensure I had enough power to takeoff. During the hover; I pulled approximately 25 inches of manifold pressure; which was expected considering the load. On climb-out; I recognized a slow rate of climb (approximately 300 FPM); and by the time I was 1.5 miles out; I was only at approximately 250 feet. At that point I began my turn in-land to continue my climb and cross the city. During the 90 degree right turn; I felt an immediate drop in my seat; followed by an immediate yaw-left of the helicopter and the sound of the low RPM horn. Instinctively; I entered an autorotation and headed towards the sand. Once in the autorotation; I looked down at my tachometer to notice the main rotor blades were pegged at the top of the gauge. I continued the autorotation; and landed safely in the sand. The passengers were unharmed and no physical damage was done to the aircraft. The engine was still running on impact so I immediately shut down the aircraft and cleared the area of any bystanders.
Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of April 2012 and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.