# NTSB CEN13CA575: Robinson Helicopter R22 Mariner, N8316D, Lee's Summit, MO, August 18, 2013 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 18, 2013, 14:30 local (19:30 UTC) - Place: Lee's Summit, MO - Coordinates: 38.970848, -94.349517 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.9708&lon=-94.3495&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Emergency descent](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/600) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Autorotation: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 13, 2014 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - NTSB case key (mKey): 88468 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN13CA575 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/88468/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=88468 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN13CA575 ## Probable cause The student pilot's improper flare while performing an autorotation and the flight instructor's delayed remedial action to correct the high sink rate, which resulted in a hard landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Action: delayed action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Instructor/check pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R22 MARINER, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md?model=7640115), [All aircraft, 894 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md) - [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 MARINER, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7640115), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Autorotation: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R22 MARINER, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=7640115), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Landing: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R22 MARINER, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=7640115), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) ## Analysis The flight instructor was providing primary helicopter instruction to a fixed-wing pilot on how to conduct 180-degree autorotations. The instructor said the pilot entered the flare lower to the ground than usual and began to descend. By the time the instructor noticed the high descent rate, it was too late for him to recover and he was only able to apply full-up collective to cushion the impact. The helicopter landed hard spreading the skids. During the landing and the main rotor blades flexed downward and severed the tailboom. ## Factual narrative The flight instructor was providing primary helicopter instruction to a fixed-wing pilot on how to conduct 180-degree autorotations. The instructor said the pilot entered the flare lower to the ground than usual and began to descend. By the time the instructor noticed the high descent rate, it was too late for him to recover and he was only able to apply full-up collective to cushion the impact. The helicopter landed hard spreading the skids. During the landing and the main rotor blades flexed downward and severed the tailboom. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8316D](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8316D), registered now, S/N 2481M, built 1994 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: ROBINSON HELICOPTER COMPANY R22 MARINER (MARINER) - Registry model: [Robinson Helicopter R22 MARINER](https://openairdocs.org/model/robinson-helicopter-r22-mariner) (registry code 7640115) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 2481M - Year built: 1994 - Engines: LYCOMING 0-320 SERIES 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Marinephoto Helicopter LLC - Registered owner: Marinephoto Helicopter LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: LXT, Lee's Summit, MO - Destination: LXT, Lee's Summit, MO - Airport: LXT, Lee's Summit Municipal, runway 18, 4,016 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Flight instructor; age 21; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review July 15, 2013; seat: left; flight hours: 351 total, 347 in this make and model - Student pilot; age 35; injuries: none; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review November 7, 2012; seat: right; flight hours: 6,100 total, 21 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day ## Other investigations on N8316D (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 DFW08LA140](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW08LA140), May 10, 2008: Robinson Helicopter R22 Marine (N8316D), Austin, TX, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain rotor RPM while maneuvering at a low altitude, which resulted in a loss of control. ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 31, 2014, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=88468. 3.5 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40407837&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Written Statement - CFI (item 2, .PDF, 42 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40407861&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Written%20Statement%20-%20CFI-Redacted.PDF - Record of Conversation - CFI (item 3, .PDF, 74 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40407874&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20-%20CFI-Master.PDF - Summary of Correspondence - FAA (item 4, .PDF, 70 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40408025&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Summary%20of%20Correspondence%20-%20FAA-Master.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.