# NTSB CEN13CA312: Robinson Helicopter R22 Beta, N2318X, Lansing, IL, June 3, 2013 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 3, 2013, 18:20 local (23:20 UTC) - Place: Lansing, IL - Coordinates: 41.534999, -87.529441 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.5350&lon=-87.5294&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Emergency descent](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/600) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Autorotation: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 23, 2013 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA -- DuPage Flight Standards - NTSB case key (mKey): 87080 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN13CA312 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/87080/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=87080 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN13CA312 ## Probable cause Improper control inputs by the pilot-receiving-instruction and the inability of the flight instructor to correct the control inputs in sufficient time to avoid the hard landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA, 96 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7640110), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Action: incorrect action performance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA, 18 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md?model=7640110), [All aircraft, 1,386 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: landing flare](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (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) - [Performance/control parameters: prop/rotor parameters](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062052): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA, 37 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062052/cases.md?model=7640110), [All aircraft, 182 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062052/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Autorotation: 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 receiving instruction was demonstrating a 180-degree autorotation at the time of the accident and inadvertently overshot the intended ground target point. After rolling out of the turn, the pilot receiving instruction did not flare properly and, instead, increased collective until reaching the control stop resulting in a loss of main rotor speed. The flight instructor was unable to correct the pilot’s control inputs in time to prevent a hard landing. The landing skids collapsed, and the helicopter sustained substantial damage to the tail boom and fuselage. The flight instructor and pilot receiving instruction reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures associated with the helicopter. ## Factual narrative The pilot-receiving-instruction was demonstrating a 180-degree autorotation at the time of the accident. He inadvertently overshot the intended ground target point. After rolling out of the turn, the pilot-receiving-instruction did not flare properly and, instead, increased collective until reaching the control stop resulting in a loss of main rotor speed. The flight instructor was unable to correct the pilot’s control inputs in time to prevent a hard landing. The landing skids collapsed, and the helicopter sustained substantial damage to the tail boom and fuselage. The flight instructor and pilot-receiving-instruction reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures associated with the helicopter. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2318X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2318X-2019-01-28), registration cancelled 2019-01-28, S/N 2029, built 1991 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: ROBINSON HELICOPTER R22 BETA - Registry model: [Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA](https://openairdocs.org/model/robinson-helicopter-r22-beta) (registry code 7640110) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 2029 - Airframe hours: 4302 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320-B2C 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Lakeshore Helicopter LLC - Registered owner: Lakeshore Helicopter LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, January 28, 2013 - Departed: IGQ, Lansing, IL - Destination: IGQ, Lansing, IL - Airport: IGQ, Lansing Municipal ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Flight instructor; age 29; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review March 13, 2013; seat: left; flight hours: 900 total, 500 in this make and model, 850 as pilot in command, 60 in the last 90 days, 30 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours - Pilot; age 27; injuries: none; private; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review December 8, 2012; seat: right; flight hours: 163 total, 73 in this make and model, 98 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 60° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 37 °F - Altimeter: 30.05 inHg - Observed at: IGQ, 1 nm away ## 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 20130603009329A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20130603009329A), Jun 3, 2013: Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA, Lansing, IL, Substantial damage. Flight departed Lansing, IL (kigq) at 1700. Purpose of flight was to practice autorotations. A 180 autorotation was entered from 500-600 feet AGL. The trainee… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 26, 2013, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=87080. 1.3 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40394403&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF 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.