https://registry.faa.gov/N8319T
Location: Hayward, CA
Accident Number: WPR19CA052
Date & Time: 12/28/2018, 1045 PST
Registration: N8319T
Aircraft: Robinson R22
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Birdstrike
Injuries: 2 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Instructional
The flight instructor reported that the student pilot was practicing takeoffs and landings at the airport. The student took off from spot C (taxiway Z), flying a right traffic pattern with the intent to land on taxiway A. As the helicopter was making a right crosswind turn over a golf course at an altitude of about 300 ft above ground level, a large bird flew out of the trees and struck the tail rotor. The flight instructor took over control as the helicopter began to yaw and he subsequently initiated an auto rotation to the golf course. As a result of a hard landing, the tailboom and fuselage were substantially damaged.
The flight instructor reported no mechanical anomalies with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.
Bird remains were found on the golf course and were identified as a Turkey Vulture. The average weight of the species is 4 pounds.
Flight Instructor Information
Certificate: Flight Instructor; Commercial
Age: 37, Male
Airplane Rating(s): None
Seat Occupied: Left
Other Aircraft Rating(s): Helicopter
Restraint Used: 3-point
Instrument Rating(s): Helicopter
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): Helicopter
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 2 With Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 01/17/2018
Occupational Pilot: Yes
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 06/13/2017
Flight Time: 1116 hours (Total, all aircraft), 900 hours (Total, this make and model), 999 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 164 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 59 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft), 3 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft)
Student Pilot Information
Certificate: None
Age: 52, Male
Airplane Rating(s): None
Seat Occupied: Right
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used: Lap Only
Instrument Rating(s): None
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: None
Last FAA Medical Exam:
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent:
Flight Time: 17.7 hours (Total, all aircraft), 17.7 hours (Total, this make and model)
Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information
Aircraft Make: Robinson
Registration: N8319T
Model/Series: R22 BETA
Aircraft Category: Helicopter
Year of Manufacture: 1994
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Normal
Serial Number: 2488
Landing Gear Type: Skid;
Seats: 2
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 11/30/2018, Annual
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 1369 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection: 35 Hours
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 13508 Hours at time of accident
Engine Manufacturer: Lycoming
ELT:
Engine Model/Series: O-320-B2C
Registered Owner: Spitzer Helicopter Llc
Rated Power: 160 hp
Operator: On file
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None
Meteorological Information and Flight Plan
Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: KHWD, 52 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site:
Observation Time: 1054 PST
Direction from Accident Site:
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Visibility: 10 Miles
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 8 knots / 18 knots
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: /
Wind Direction: 340°
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: /
Altimeter Setting: 30.26 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 13°C / -6°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Hayward, CA (KHWD)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: Hayward, CA (KHWD)
Type of Clearance: VFR
Departure Time: 1043 PST
Type of Airspace: Class D
Airport Information
Airport: Hayward Executive (KHWD)
Runway Surface Type: Grass/turf
Airport Elevation: 52 ft
Runway Surface Condition: Soft
Runway Used: N/A
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width:
VFR Approach/Landing: Traffic Pattern
Wreckage and Impact Information
Crew Injuries: 2 None
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 2 None
Latitude, Longitude: 37.663889, -122.128056 (est)
HAYWARD, California (KGO) -- A student pilot and his flight instructor were able to walk away from their helicopter after making an emergency landing. It all happened after they were hit by a bird.
"It was pretty crazy!" says Randy Acosta.
Acosta and his friends were playing a round of golf at Skywest Golf Course in Hayward. The pilots, who launched from the Hayward Executive airport, made their emergency landing near the 10th hole of the course.
Acosta says they were one hole behind from where the chopper came down.
"You could see the helicopter pilot kind of had it (turn) strongly to the right, regain control and then it went down and he maintained control," says Acosta.
Airport officials say a large turkey vulture, which can have a wingspan of up to six feet wide, hit the windshield shortly after the pilots took off.
A student pilot was flying, but then his flight instructor immediately took over after being hit.
"It was a miraculous landing when you think about it. The tail rotor which maintains directional flight for the helicopter was impaired and the instructor was able to still land the helicopter safely," explains airport manager, Doug McNeeley.
McNeeley says the pilots flew about half a mile when they were hit.
Victor Toy and his group came to see what happened after the chopper landed and were amazed that no one was injured in the crash.
"I thought, aww man, that doesn't look good at all," says Toy. "Then I look at it now, (and think) that's an incredible pilot. The way that it was out of control. To land it the way it is. That's pretty amazing. That's awesome skill."
The two pilots were able to walk away uninjured but shaken up.
Airport officials say it is rare to have problems with birds at this airport. The NTSB will also be investigating.
Original article can be found here ➤ https://abc7news.com
Turkey vulture struck main rotor (no damage) but then struck and took out tail rotor. Video that includes some ATC traffic plus images of now deceased turkey vulture:
ReplyDeletehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ze53-PYXNt0&t=94s