NTSB Factual Report

On September 4, 2005, at 0959 central daylight time, a Robinson R22 Beta helicopter, N61LA, piloted by a private pilot, was substantially damaged during a hard landing near Rockton, Illinois. The personal flight was being conducted under 14 CFR Part 91 without a flight plan. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The pilot reported minor injuries. The passenger was reportedly uninjured. The local flight departed Southern Wisconsin Regional Airport (JVL), Janesville, Wisconsin, at 0900.

In his statement, the pilot noted that the flight was intended to build flight time in preparation for a commercial pilot practical test. During the flight he decided to land in a field to investigate some "four wheeling" activity. He noted that he was giving a ride to an individual he met there when the accident occurred. The pilot added that the helicopter ride consisted of circling the field and returning for a landing. He commented that he was operating near the gross weight of the helicopter, with one passenger and 20 gallons of fuel on-board.

The pilot stated: "My approach, I believe, would have been categorized as steep and as I neared the ground I pulled all available power to no avail. It quickly turned to a 'settling with power' situation and I managed to land on the skids. The contact was still severe enough for us to 'bounce' up pivoting on my left skid experiencing a dynamic rollover." He added that the field in which the accident occurred was "flat" and that the terrain was a "non-factor" in the accident.

The pilot stated that there were no failures or malfunctions with the helicopter prior to the accident.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's excessive descent rate on approach for landing and the settling with power condition subsequently encountered. Contributing factors were the pilot's failure to reduce the descent rate prior to entering the settling with power condition and his failure to execute a go-around.