# NTSB CEN20LA282: Robinson R22, N7186K, Venice, LA, July 8, 2020 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report - Date: July 8, 2020, 09:45 local (14:45 UTC) - Place: Venice, LA - Coordinates: 29.479999, -89.341667 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.4800&lon=-89.3417&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 3 - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 101602 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN20LA282 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/101602/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=101602 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN20LA282 ## Probable cause A partial loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined based on available evidence. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Aircraft](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01050000): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Unknown/Not determined (probable cause); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01050000/cases.md?model=7640110), [All aircraft, 151 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01050000/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Attain/maintain not possible; cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA, 25 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=7640110), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342) (defining event); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md?model=7640110), [All aircraft, 1,858 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of the helicopter was conducting an aerial survey about 30 ft above the ground when the engine lost partial power. The pilot performed an autorotation to swampy terrain, and upon landing, the helicopter settled to the left and the main rotor blades impacted the ground. One main rotor blade and the main rotor pitch links sustained substantial damaged. An engine run was conducted after the wreckage was recovered. The engine started and was run at partial power while still installed in the accident helicopter using fuel that remained in the fuel tanks. Both magnetos were checked and operated normally during the engine run. No anomalies were noted with the engine. Weather conditions at the nearest weather reporting station about the time of the accident were not conducive to the development of carburetor icing. The reason for the partial loss of engine power could not be determined based on the available information. ## Factual narrative On July 8, 2020, about 0945 central daylight time, a Robinson R-22 helicopter, N7186K, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Venice, Louisiana. The pilot was not injured. The helicopter was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 aerial observation flight. The pilot was conducting an aerial survey about 30 ft above ground level (agl) when the engine lost partial power. He successfully autorotated to swampy terrain, where the left skid sunk into the ground, the helicopter settled to the left, and the main rotor blades impacted the ground. One main rotor blade was bent and the main rotor pitch links were damaged. The helicopter was recovered and an engine run was conducted by a mechanic. The engine remained installed in the helicopter and the engine run was attempted using the battery and fuel that remained in the helicopter after the accident. The battery power was insufficient to start the engine, so the battery was replaced. The engine subsequently started and ran at idle power for several minutes before the mechanic advanced the throttle partially. He was unable to apply full throttle due to the condition of the wreckage. Once the engine power stabilized at the advanced power setting, he cycled the magneto switch from the “Both” position to the “Left” and “Right” positions. He reported the rpm decreased and stabilized each time the magneto switch was cycled to each position. The mechanic reported no anomalies during the engine run. Weather conditions, as reported at the nearest reporting facility, were not conducive to the development of carburetor icing. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7186K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7186K-2022-09-19), registration cancelled 2022-09-19, S/N 3031, built 2000 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Robinson 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: 3031 - Year built: 2000 - Airframe hours: 3865 - Engines: Lycoming O&VO-360 SER reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial observation, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 26, 2020, 65 hours before ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 67; injuries: none; commercial; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review May 1, 2020; seat: right; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 15,872 total, 15,872 in this make and model, 197 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 240° at 10 knots - Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 77 °F - Altimeter: 30.01 inHg - Observed at: KMSY, 70 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 20200708013069A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20200708013069A), Jul 8, 2020: Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA, Bohemia, LA, Substantial damage. N7186K a Robinson R22 on July 8, 2020 was on a local flight from and to the venice, Louisiana area. While conducting an aerial survey in straight and level… ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 10, 2022, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=101602. 5.9 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 4.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12796074&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Pilot statement (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 1.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12796387&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Pilot%20Statement_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Photos (item 3, PDF, 2 pages, 2 photos, 491 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12798596&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photos%20CEN20LA282-Rel.pdf - Engine run - record of conversation (item 4, PDF, 1 page, 113 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13831650&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20-%20Engine%20Exam-Rel.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.