Robinson R44
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 45; Flight Crew Total 265; Flight Crew Type 110
Situational Awareness
Conflict Ground Conflict; Critical
Flight Crew Took Evasive Action
Human Factors
A Robinson R44 helicopter with two pilots was cleared to land on the numbers of runway 19 at Republic Airport (FRG). At 1;500 feet MSL; the pilots initiated a simulated engine failure and autorotation. At about 200 feet AGL; the pilot flying noticed a Cirrus SR20/SR22 taxiing onto runway 19; creating a head-on situation. The helicopter pilot immediately increased throttle to terminate the autorotation; while taking evasive action in a sharp right bank; followed by a left bank to avoid the Cirrus. In order to avoid a collision; the helicopter pilot also increased forward airspeed so as to overfly the Cirrus if necessary. Once in a hover; the helicopter pilots notified Republic Tower on frequency that a Cirrus had been present on the runway; and observed the Cirrus make a right turn off the runway. The estimated horizontal distance between the helicopter and plane was 150 feet; with no vertical separation. The Cirrus was on Republic Ground frequency; so we were unable to determined whether the runway incursion was the result of controller error; or pilot error by the Cirrus.
R44 pilot reported that during autorotation practice they noticed a light aircraft taxiing onto runway 19; creating a 'head-on' conflict.