May 1, 2014, Frederick, Md. Robinson Helicopter R22 Beta
The flight instructor and student were practicing hover operations, during which the helicopter drifted right and descended. The right skid contacted the grass, the helicopter rolled to the right and the main rotor blades contacted the ground. The helicopter came to rest on its right side. There was substantial damage. The pilots reported no pre-impact mechanical malfunctions or failures. This was the first flight in a helicopter for the student pilot.
May 2, 2014, New Braunfels, Texas Piper PA-24-250 Comanche 250
Prior to the outbound flight, the pilot estimated the airplane had 40-45 gallons of fuel on board, with a planned en route time of 57 minutes and about a 10-knot tailwind. Once at cruise, he set power for a fuel burn of 12.3 gph. For the return leg, he estimated 12-15 gallons in the left tank and 10 in the right, for a total of 22-25 gallons.
