# NTSB CEN22LA304: Robinson Helicopter R22 Beta, N743DP, Yoakum, TX, June 17, 2022 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: June 17, 2022, 08:20 local (13:20 UTC) - Place: Yoakum, TX - Coordinates: 29.313239, -97.138492 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.3132&lon=-97.1385&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: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 105423 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN22LA304 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/105423/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=105423 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN22LA304 ## Probable cause The pilot's loss of helicopter control on approach to land due to a settling with power condition, which resulted in a hard landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: descent rate](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062037): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062037/cases.md?model=7640110), [All aircraft, 242 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062037/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 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) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [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 reported that the purpose of the flight was to complete a solo cross-country for the requirements of an additional rotorcraft rating. He conducted a steep approach to the runway and was about 5 to 10 ft above the ground when the helicopter began settling with power. He attempted to fly forward but the helicopter continued to descend. He added that he might have increased the collective input and pulled back on the cyclic. The helicopter landed hard and sustained substantial damage to the fuselage steel tubing structure. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N743DP](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N743DP), registered now, S/N 3429, built 2003 (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 O-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-360-series) (registry code 41575, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 3429 - Year built: 2003 - Airframe hours: 4354.3 - Engines: Lycoming O-360 145 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Veracity Aviation LLC - Registered owner: Veracity Aviation LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, May 22, 2022 - Departed: T20, Gonzalez, TX - Destination: T85, Yoakum, TX - Airport: T85, Yoakum Municipal Airport, runway 13, 3,444 × 60 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 60; injuries: none; commercial, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review October 15, 2021; seat: right; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 9,457 total, 39 in this make and model, 6,905 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 140° at 4 knots - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 75 °F - Altimeter: 30.05 inHg - Observed at: KVCT, 29 nm away - METAR: KVCT 171351Z 14004KT 7SM SCT030 28/24 A3005 RMK AO2 SLP175 T02780239 ## 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 20220617010579A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20220617010579A), Jun 17, 2022: Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA, Yoakum, TX, Substantial damage. [privacy data omitted], A Robinson R-22 beta ii, while on a solo cross country flight from huber airpark civic club LLC airport (E70) to roger m dreyer… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 22, 2022, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=105423. 1.1 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 926 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14138881&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120%20-%20Pilot_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Photos (item 2, PDF, 2 pages, 2 photos, 217 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14145038&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Docket%20photos-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.