Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA N276SH accident near Mcminnville, Tennessee

Probable cause

The flight instructor’s delayed remedial action during a practice autorotation, which resulted in a hard landing.

NTSB analysis

The flight instructor of the helicopter stated that after practicing two uneventful 180° practice auto rotations, the student pilot attempted a third. The maneuver proceeded as expected, however, as it progressed, the helicopter slowed significantly at low altitude. The flight instructor stated that he attempted to take the controls to recover, but he was too late and the helicopter landed hard in the grass prior to the runway. The helicopter rolled to the left and the fuselage, main rotors, and tail boom were substantially damaged. The flight instructor reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures of the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA26LA327 for the full record.