# NTSB investigations: Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA: In flight collision with terrain/water

NTSB aviation accident and incident investigations since 1962: the probable cause, findings, aircraft, crew, weather and docket of each, linked to the FAA registry and the FAA’s own reports.

## Latest cases

- [NTSB SEA07CA260](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA07CA260.md): Robinson R-22B · Long Beach, CA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Sep 12, 2007 · N965SH · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot's loss of directional control while hovering, and the instructor pilot's inadequate remedial action while attempting to take control of the helicopter.
- [NTSB SEA07CA193](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA07CA193.md): Robinson R 22 Beta · Long Beach, CA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jul 3, 2007 · N457SH · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot's improper use of the throttle and cyclic, and the certified flight instructor's inadequate supervision, which resulted in the collision with terrain.
- [NTSB SEA06CA160](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA06CA160.md): Robinson R-22B · Boise, ID · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Aug 11, 2006 · N228SH · Substantial damage
  > The instructor pilot's inadvertent excessive descent rate, and his delay of remedial action during the demonstration of a 180 degree autorotation.
- [NTSB NYC06CA041](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC06CA041.md): Robinson R-22B · Rochester, NH · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Dec 3, 2005 · N40CP · Substantial damage
  > The flight instructor's failure to maintain adequate clearance while providing hovering instruction, which resulted in tail rotor ground contact. A factor in this accident was the gusty wind conditions.
- [NTSB CHI05CA159](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI05CA159.md): Robinson R22 Beta · Osage Beach, MO · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jun 25, 2005 · N7195L · Destroyed
  > The pilot not maintaining clearance from the water while maneuvering for photographs.
- [NTSB SEA05LA070](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA05LA070.md): Robinson R-22 Beta · Corvallis, OR · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Apr 5, 2005 · N303PR · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot's failure to maintain directional control while attempting to turn in the direction necessary to air-taxi to the landing pad, and the flight instructor's failure to take remedial action soon enough to correct the problems created when the…
- [NTSB SEA04CA149](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA04CA149.md): Robinson R-22 · Boise, ID · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jul 29, 2004 · N8356R · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to initiate a flare prior to contacting the ground while attempting to land the helicopter on a dark night. Factors include a distraction created by the flicker of a low rotor rpm light, the glare of nearby flood lights, and the lack of…
- [NTSB CHI04CA111](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI04CA111.md): Robinson R22 Beta · Rochester, MN · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Apr 27, 2004 · N40725 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain control of the helicopter during landing. Contributing factors were the aircraft's low altitude and the pilot's limited flight experience.
- [NTSB NYC03LA029](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC03LA029.md): Robinson R-22 · Suffolk, VA · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Dec 12, 2002 · N9444Y · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's inadequate visual lookout while landing, which resulted in a collision with an embankment.
- [NTSB NYC02LA186](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC02LA186.md): Robinson R-22B · Jamestown, KY · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 7, 2002 · N707RG · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain the proper descent rate, which resulted in low rotor rpm and a collision with water.
- [NTSB LAX02LA243](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX02LA243.md): Robinson R22 Beta · Fresno, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 30, 2002 · N4074T · Substantial damage
  > The failure of the flight instructor to ensure maintenance of an adequate terrain clearance altitude while performing low level maneuvers.
- [NTSB SEA02LA026](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA02LA026.md): Robinson R22 Beta · Renton, WA · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jan 11, 2002 · N7185A · Substantial damage
  > The flight instructor's failure to ensure that adequate altitude/clearance above the ground was maintained during hovering flight, resulting in an inadvertent ground contact and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter. A factor was the flight…
- [NTSB CHI02LA021](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI02LA021.md): Robinson R22 Beta · Lambertville, MI · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 5, 2001 · N888BD · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's improper flare during landing.
- [NTSB MIA01LA172](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA01LA172.md): Robinson R-22B · Garner, NC · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 24, 2001 · N7119D · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain altitude clearance above the terrain while maneuvering, resulting in a collision with the terrain, and subsequent rollover.
- [NTSB FTW00LA269](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW00LA269.md): Robinson R-22B · Tomball, TX · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 23, 2000 · N7183X · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot's abrupt lowering of the collective. Factors were the student pilot's lack of experience in helicopters and the CFI's delayed remedial action.
- [NTSB LAX00LA172](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX00LA172.md): Robinson R22 Beta · San Diego, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Apr 27, 2000 · N622EH · Destroyed
  > The failure of the flight instructor to maintain control of the helicopter, resulting in skid contact with an obstacle and dynamic roll over.
- [NTSB MIA99LA070](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA99LA070.md): Robinson R22 · Pompano Beach, FL · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jan 30, 1999 · N4046H · Destroyed
  > The CFI's decision not to follow procedures and directives (initiate a go-around/power recovery) during a simulated 180 autorotation resulting in a hard landing and in flight collision with terrain.
- [NTSB LAX99FA006](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX99FA006.md): Robinson R-22 · Lowerlake, CA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Oct 5, 1998 · N801EH · Destroyed
  > The flight instructor's failure to adequately supervise the conduct of the flight and the failure of the flying pilot to ensure that adequate ground clearance existed between the stinger/tail rotor and the ground during a deceleration while the aircraft was…
- [NTSB FTW98LA278](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW98LA278.md): Robinson R22 Beta · Freer, TX · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 21, 1998 · N982SH · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain tail rotor-ground clearance due to his improper flare while hovering.
- [NTSB SEA97LA115](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA97LA115.md): Robinson R22B · Boise, ID · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · May 16, 1997 · N2328W · Substantial damage
  > improper handling of the helicopter by the student pilot/applicant, during a hover autorotation, which resulted in loss of tail rotor effectiveness. The check pilot's inadequate remedial action was a related factor.
- [NTSB LAX97LA068](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX97LA068.md): Robinson R22 Beta · Lakeport, CA · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Dec 15, 1996 · N8311A · Substantial damage
  > inadequate supervision by the flight instructor (CFI), and his delayed corrective action to the student pilot's abrupt control inputs, thereby allowing the main rotor blades to strike the ground. Factors relating to the accident were: the CFI's lack of…
- [NTSB FTW96LA131](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW96LA131.md): Robinson R22B · Garland, TX · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Feb 24, 1996 · N8141L · Substantial damage
  > Failure of the pilot to maintain sufficient altitude and tail rotor clearance from the terrain, while demonstrating rearward movement in a hover.
- [NTSB NYC95FA103](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC95FA103.md): Robinson R-22 Beta · Toano, VA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · May 9, 1995 · N8311A · Substantial damage
  > The pilot misjudged altitude and distance which resulted in an undershoot of the landing area and collision with water. Contributing factors are inadequate helipad lighting and a dark night light condition.
- [NTSB LAX95LA153](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX95LA153.md): Robinson R22 Beta · Healdsburg, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Apr 2, 1995 · N2323K · Substantial damage
  > the instructor failed to adequately monitor the student pilot's actions and to react within the control margin necessary to successfully initiate a corrective action.
- [NTSB MIA94LA051](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA94LA051.md): Robinson R-22 · Miami, FL · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jan 13, 1994 · N931KC · Destroyed
  > The pilot-in-command's improper supervision of an unqualified pilot while maneuvering at a low altitude. This resulted in a loss in rotor rpm due to improper flight control input (upward collective pitch), and subsequent in-flight collision with terrain.
- [NTSB BFO93LA180](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO93LA180.md): Robinson R22 · Scottdale, PA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 19, 1993 · N88RD · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for landing and his delay in performing remedial action.
- [NTSB LAX93LA348](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX93LA348.md): Robinson R22B · Floriston, CA · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 10, 1993 · N47NH · Substantial damage
  > the flight instructor's failure to maintain main rotor RPM after initiating a go-around from a pinnacle approach. A factor in the accident was the high density altitude condition.
- [NTSB LAX93LA302](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX93LA302.md): Robinson R22-B · Venice, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 28, 1993 · N23517 · Substantial damage
  > The failure of the pilot to maintain proper main rotor RPM, altitude, and airspeed during the performance of a steep turn. Inadequate in-flight planning and overconfidence in the pilot's abilities were factors in this accident.
- [NTSB SEA93LA139](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA93LA139.md): Robinson R-22 · Snohomish, WA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 26, 1993 · N80686 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot misjudged the landing flare.
- [NTSB LAX93LA208](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX93LA208.md): Robinson R-22 · Corona, CA · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · May 8, 1993 · N4071G · Destroyed
  > The failure of the pilot to accomplish the published emergency procedure by not immediately lowering the collective to regain main rotor RPM. A factor in the accident was the pilot's selection of a cruise altitude insufficient to allow for contingency…
- [NTSB FTW92FA224](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW92FA224.md): Robinson R22 · Alpine, TX · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Sep 5, 1992 · N4073S · Destroyed
  > Failure by the pilot-in-command, for unknown reasons, to maintain sufficient altitude to clear surrounding terrain. Factors were mountainous terrain and high density altitude.
- [NTSB LAX92LA295](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX92LA295.md): Robinson R-22BETA · Paso Robles, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 11, 1992 · N2316H · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance between the helicopter and the terrain while hover taxing.
- [NTSB CHI92LA081](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI92LA081.md): Robinson R-22B · Minneapolis, MN · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jan 25, 1992 · N4046H · Substantial damage
  > A misjudged autorotation.
- [NTSB NYC91LA254](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC91LA254.md): Robinson R-22 · Point Judith, RI · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 24, 1991 · N950CW · Destroyed
  > The pilot become disoriented and lost control of the helicopter. Contributing to the accident was a dark night, flight over water, and the pilot's lack of total flight experience.
- [NTSB LAX91LA305](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91LA305.md): Robinson R-22-B · San Jose, CA · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 11, 1991 · N730SH · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot's failure to unlock the cyclic trim and to maintain his hover altitude. His lack of experience with the aircraft, inadequate preflight, and the uncontrolled descent were factors in the accident.
- [NTSB SEA91LA146](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA91LA146.md): Robinson R-22 Beta · Wenatchee, WA · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 25, 1991 · N40450 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain a proper altitude. Contributing to the accident was sun glare.
- [NTSB LAX91LA182](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91LA182.md): Robinson R22-BETA · Phoenix, AZ · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Apr 20, 1991 · N4066J · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain main rotor RPM. Factor contributing to the accident was the pilot's inadequate in-flight planning.
- [NTSB NYC91LA011](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC91LA011.md): Robinson R22 · Woonsocket, RI · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 14, 1990 · N666U · Substantial damage
  > Pilot's failure to maintain sufficient altitude above the terrain to avoid getting the right skid caught in the grass, resulting in a loss of control.
- [NTSB LAX89LA289](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX89LA289.md): Robinson R-22B · Tracy, CA · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 26, 1989 · N80040 · Substantial damage
  > Dual student's failure to properly flare the helicopter during the autorotation power recovery and the cfi's failure to adequately supervise the dual student's performace during a critical phase of flight.
- [NTSB SEA89LA144](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA89LA144.md): Robinson R22 · Brinnon, WA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 31, 1989 · N933CB · Destroyed
  > The pilot's inadequate in-flight planning. The helicopter skid contacted the water as a result of the pilot's misjudgement of clearance above the water.
- [NTSB MIA89LA001](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA89LA001.md): Robinson R22 · Orlando, FL · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 1, 1988 · N2628B · Substantial damage
  > While practicing hovering the helicopter began to drift. The instructor plt corrected this & returned control to the student plt. The helicopter then began to descend & the instructor plt attempted to correct this with collective, but the student plt applied…
- [NTSB LAX87LA012](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX87LA012.md): Robinson R-22 · Dolan Springs, AZ · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 7, 1986 · N2270C · Substantial damage
  > The pilot stated that he was climbing the helicopter up a dry wash and planned to cross a 3000 foot high ridge at about 10 feet above the terrain. As he approached the ridge the helicopter yawed to the right about 70 degrees and the acft main rotor lost RPM.…
- [NTSB MIA86FA199](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA86FA199.md): Robinson R22 · Islamorada, FL · Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report · Jul 4, 1986 · N2385X · Destroyed
  > Witnesses reported seeing the helicopter flying at approximately 8 to 10 feet off the water. The helicopter entered a left turn and as the turn progressed the helicopter descended striking the water with a skid and cartwheeling.

## The whole list in SQL

Runs in DuckDB 1.2 or later on the release's Parquet files over HTTPS:

```sql
SELECT c."ntsbNumber", c."eventDate", c."eventType", c."eventCity", c."eventStateOrRegion", a.n_number, a."aircraftMake", a."aircraftModel", c."highestInjuryLevel", c."totalFatal", c."completionStatus", c.report_url
FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_case_detail.parquet' c LEFT JOIN 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_aircrafts.parquet' a ON a.case_mkey = c."mKey" AND a.position = 1
WHERE c."mKey" IN (SELECT x.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_aircrafts.parquet' x WHERE x.aircraft_model_code IN ('7640110', '7640103')
    AND EXISTS (SELECT 1 FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_occurrences.parquet' o WHERE o.case_mkey = x.case_mkey AND o.aircrafts_position = x.position AND o."occurrenceNumber" = 1 AND o."occurrenceCode" = 230))
ORDER BY c."eventDate" DESC, c."ntsbNumber" DESC
```

This list as a web page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb?model=7640110&occurrence=230

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