# NTSB CEN09CA067: Robinson Helicopter R22 Beta II, N221DS, Erie, CO, November 19, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: November 19, 2008, 09:45 local (16:45 UTC) - Place: Erie, CO - Coordinates: 40.009998, -105.047775 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.0100&lon=-105.0478&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 24, 2008 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 69472 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN09CA067 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/69472/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09CA067 ## Probable cause the pilot's improper flare during the practice autorotation which resulted in a hard landing. Contributing factors were the flight instructor's delayed remedial action and inadequate supervision. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: landing flare](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md?model=7640110), [All aircraft, 1,285 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md) - [Action: delayed action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Instructor/check pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA, 35 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md?model=7640110), [All aircraft, 894 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md) - [Attention/monitoring: monitoring other person](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021535): Personnel issues › Psychological · Instructor/check pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA, 15 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021535/cases.md?model=7640110), [All aircraft, 200 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021535/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach: Simulated/training event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/600); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/600/sequence.md?model=7640110), [All aircraft, 173 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/600/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092) (defining event); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA, 54 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=7640110), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot, who was also a certified helicopter flight instructor, was demonstrating a 180-degree autorotation to the flight instructor as part of a flight review. While on final glide approximately 100 feet above ground level (agl), the landing checks were complete to include: rotor RPM in the green arc, airspeed at 60 knots, and the landing skids aligned with runway. Approximately 60 feet agl, the rotor RPM was at the bottom of the green arc, and the flight instructor expected the pilot to initiate a flare; however, the flare was "very mild, if none, with little reduction in aircraft speed and rate of descent." Subsequently, the flight instructor "hesitated" in taking the helicopter controls and the helicopter landed hard and skidded down the runway. During the hard landing, the main rotor blades severed the tail boom. Examination of the airframe revealed no anomalies that would have precluded normal operations. ## Factual narrative The pilot, who was also a certified helicopter flight instructor, was demonstrating a 180-degree autorotation to the flight instructor as part of a flight review. While on final glide approximately 100 feet above ground level (agl), the landing checks were complete to include: rotor RPM in the green arc, airspeed at 60 knots, and the landing skids aligned with runway. Approximately 60 feet agl, the rotor RPM was at the bottom of the green arc, and the flight instructor expected the pilot to initiate a flare; however, the flare was "very mild, if none, with little reduction in aircraft speed and rate of descent." Subsequently, the flight instructor "hesitated" in taking the helicopter controls and the helicopter landed hard and skidded down the runway. During the hard landing, the main rotor blades severed the tail boom. Examination of the airframe revealed no anomalies that would have precluded normal operations. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N221DS](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N221DS-2013-06-17), registration cancelled 2013-06-17, S/N 3065, built 2000 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: ROBINSON HELICOPTER R22 Beta II - Registry model: [Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA](https://openairdocs.org/model/robinson-helicopter-r22-beta) (registry code 7640110) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 3065 - Airframe hours: 866.9 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-J2A 145 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 3, 2008 - Departed: EIK, Erie, CO - Destination: EIK, Erie, CO - Airport: EIK, Erie Municipal Airport, runway 15, concrete ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Flight instructor; age 50; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review January 30, 2008; seat: right; flight hours: 1,061 total, 1,059 in this make and model, 960 as pilot in command, 77 in the last 90 days, 30 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours - Student pilot; age 54; injuries: none; flight instructor, airline transport, commercial, flight engineer; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter, airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review September 30, 2008; seat: left; flight hours: 22,000 total, 68 in this make and model, 20,000 as pilot in command, 60 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 68 °F - Observed at: EIK ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20081119851159A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20081119851159A), Nov 19, 2008: Robsin R22BETA, Erie, CO, Substantial damage. (-23) [privacy data omitted] was giving flight instruction to [privacy data omitted] for sfar 73 review. Whiles [privacy data omitted] was performing a 180… 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.