# Accident 20120307002609A: Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA, Randle, WA, March 7, 2012

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: March 7, 2012, 17:05 local time
- Place: Randle, WA
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Hover/Holding
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 46.5708° N, 121.9744° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.5708&lon=-121.9744&mi=10
- Aircraft: N54BA, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N54BA) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA (registry code 7640110, https://openairdocs.org/model/robinson-helicopter-r22-beta) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming 0-320 series (registry code 41508, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ROBINSON HELICOPTER R22 BETA
- Reported engine: LYCOMING 0-320 SERIES
- People aboard: 2
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Commercial pilot, flight instructor
- Pilot flight hours: 975 total, 569 in this make and model, 77 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB WPR12CA117](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR12CA117) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120307002609A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

WHILE TRAINING ON PINNACLE LANDINGS, CONFINED APPROACHES AND LANDINGS TO A PLATFORM LOCATED ON A SNOWY SLOPE NEAR RANDLE, WA THE LOW ROTOR RPM LIGHT CAME ON DURING THE HOVER PHASE WITH THE STUDENT AT THE CONTROLS. THE HELICOPTER BEGAN TO TURN TO THE RIGHT FACING SOUTHWEST WHILE DECENDING DOWN THE SLOPE WHERE IT BOUNCED ONCE OFF OF THE SNOW AND THEN ONCE MORE WHERE THE RIGHT SKID CAUGHT THE SNOW AND FLIPPED THE AIRCRAFT ONTO ITS RIGHT SIDE FACING UPSLOPE. THE STUDENT AND FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR WERE UNINJURED. AMENDED 09/19/2012: CORRECTED #32 OF THIS REPORT.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB WPR12CA117](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR12CA117), Mar 8, 2012: Robinson Helicopter R22 Beta (N54BA), Randle, WA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot exceeded the helicopter's performance, resulting in low rotor rpm and settling.

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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