# NTSB CEN23LA358: Robinson Helicopter R22 Beta, N798MG, Sevierville, TN, August 9, 2023 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: August 9, 2023, 10:00 local (14:00 UTC) - Place: Sevierville, TN · On the taxiway of the airport - Coordinates: 35.858226, -83.530029 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.8582&lon=-83.5300&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: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 192839 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN23LA358 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/192839/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=192839 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23LA358 ## Probable cause The flight instructor’s improper flight control inputs during the practice hovering autorotation that resulted in a loss of control and impact with terrain. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: configuration](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062017): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062017/cases.md?model=7640110), [All aircraft, 80 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062017/cases.md) - [Action: incorrect action selection](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041010): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Instructor/check pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041010/cases.md?model=7640110), [All aircraft, 397 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041010/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Instructor/check 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) - [Maneuvering-hover: 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) ## Analysis The flight instructor and his student were practicing hovering autorotations over an asphalt taxiway. The flight instructor reported that during the third autorotation, he either did not completely roll the throttle into the spring-loaded override, or he inadvertently allowed the throttle to open while arresting the descent. The helicopter climbed to about 25 ft above ground level and then it entered an uncontrolled right spin. The flight instructor immediately communicated to the student pilot that he had taken over the flight controls but was unsure if the student pilot had fully relinquished the flight controls. The flight instructor maneuvered the helicopter over a grass field and initiated a hovering autorotation. The helicopter landed hard and spread the skids, which resulted in substantial damage to the fuselage. The flight instructor shutdown the helicopter and he and his student were able to egress without further incident. The flight instructor reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N798MG](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N798MG), registered now, S/N 2704 (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 0-360-A1D](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-360-a1d) (registry code 41504, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 2704 - Year built: 1997 - Airframe hours: 2591.7 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-J2A 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Sevier County Aviation - Registered owner: Keepem Turnin LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, July 20, 2023 - Airport: GKT, Gatlinburg-Pigeon Forge Airport, runway 10/28, 5,506 × 75 ft, asphalt - Equipment: ADS-B ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 41; injuries: none; commercial; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review July 23, 2023; seat: left; flight hours: 262.7 total, 201.7 in this make and model, 203.6 as pilot in command, 76.2 in the last 90 days, 34.4 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 300° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 68 °F - Altimeter: 30.02 inHg - Observed at: KDKX, 18 nm away - METAR: KDKX 091415Z AUTO 30003KT 10SM CLR 24/20 A3002 RMK A01 ## 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 20230809013769A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20230809013769A), Aug 9, 2023: Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA, Sevierville, TN, Substantial damage. Roughly 3 feet off the ground the instructor was practicing hover autos with the student. Upon entry with throttle off the aircraft started yawing left and… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 10, 2024, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=192839. 3.1 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 1.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16452130&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=NTSB%20Form%206120.1_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Photo array (item 2, PDF, 4 pages, 1.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16452011&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%20Array-Rel.pdf - Robinson flight training guide (item 3, PDF, 1 page, 93 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16451143&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Robison%20Flight%20Training%20Guide%20pg7.18-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.