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SEA08CA032

2007-11-20 · Ramona, California, United States · Serious · 1 aircraft · Status: Completed

Airport RMN

N463SH has since been reassigned. It is now registered to a different aircraft (HYLIO INC HYL-150), which was not involved in this event.

Aircraft involved

Probable cause & findings

An excessive descent rate during a simulated 180-degree power-off autorotation, and the flight instructor's failure to initiate corrective action in time to keep the helicopter from impacting the terrain.

Factual narrative

While demonstrating a practice 180-degree autorotation to landing, the certified flight instructor allowed the helicopter to develop an excessive descent rate and low rotor rpm, which resulted in a hard landing. Although he attempted to take corrective action, he did not do so in time to keep the helicopter from contacting the asphalt surface with sufficient force to result in substantial damage to the helicopters airframe. Examination of the helicopter revealed no mechanical anomalies. While demonstrating a practice 180-degree autorotation to landing, the certified flight instructor allowed the helicopter to develop an excessive descent rate and low rotor rpm, which resulted in a hard landing. Although he attempted to take corrective action, he did not do so in time to keep the helicopter from contacting the asphalt surface with sufficient force to result in substantial damage to the helicopters airframe. Examination of the helicopter revealed no mechanical anomalies. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12

Verbatim from NTSB's published report. Source file NTSB_2007_SEA08CA032.txt. Findings + structured fields enriched from FAA avall.mdb. Full investigation docket on data.ntsb.gov ↗.

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