# NTSB CHI07CA281: Robinson R-22 Beta, N143SH, St. Clair Rgnl., MO, August 28, 2007

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: August 28, 2007, 13:15 local (19:15 UTC)
- Place: St. Clair Rgnl., MO
- Coordinates: 38.382221, -90.973335
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.3822&lon=-90.9733&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 31, 2007
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 66836
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI07CA281
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/66836/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI07CA281

## Probable cause

The pilot overcorrected following a loss of control while practicing a hovering turn.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - in flight, hover
  - hovering turn - abrupt, pilot in command
  - remedial action - excessive, pilot in command (cause)
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing
  - terrain condition - ground

## Analysis

The student pilot overcorrected during a hovering taxi turn and the tail rotor struck the ground.  The student pilot then autorotated to a hard landing which collapsed the landing gear.

## Factual narrative

The student pilot was conducting a solo flight for traffic pattern practice.  The pilot switched destination airports due to other aircraft in the traffic pattern.  The student pilot reported completing two traffic patterns for the active runway.  He then left the active runway to practice lift ups and set downs.  When turning onto the taxiway the tail of the aircraft turned hard to the left bringing the nose of the helicopter to the right.  The pilot reported he overcorrecting the controls and the tail rotor struck the ground.  He then attempted a hover autorotation and the helicopter landed hard collapsing skids.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N143SH](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N143SH), registered now, S/N 4132, built 2007 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Robinson R-22 Beta
- Registry model: [Robinson Helicopter R22](https://openairdocs.org/model/robinson-helicopter-r22) (registry code 7640102) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O-360-J2A](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-360-j2a) (registry code 42314, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 4132
- Airframe hours: 612.7
- Engines: Lycoming O-360-J2A 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Silver State Helicopters
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, August 1, 2007
- Departed: KSUS, St. Louis, MO
- Destination: K39, St. Clair, MO
- Airport: K39, St. Clair Regional, runway 20, 3,198 × 60 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Student pilot; age 48; injuries: none; student; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review June 1, 2007; seat: right; flight hours: 54 total, 54 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 91 °F
- Altimeter: 30.04 inHg
- Observed at: SUS

## 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 20070828018449A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20070828018449A), Aug 28, 2007: Robsin R22, St Clair, MO, Substantial damage. (-23) On August 28, 2007 at approximately 1215 hours, the pilot [privacy data omitted] departed spirit of st. louis airport (sus) for a routine solo training…

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.

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