# NTSB DEN04CA131: Robinson R22 Beta, N7530D, Logan, UT, August 24, 2004 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 24, 2004, 13:50 local (19:50 UTC) - Place: Logan, UT - Coordinates: 41.781665, -111.846664 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.7817&lon=-111.8467&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 3, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 59978 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN04CA131 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/59978/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN04CA131 ## Probable cause the instructor's failure to maintain adequate rotor speed during the landing flare, resulting in a hard landing. Contributing factors include the student's delay in relinquishing the controls and the instructor's improper supervision. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, landing - flare/touchdown - relinquishing of control - delayed, dual student (contributing factor) - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command(cfi) (cause) - supervision - inadequate, pilot in command(cfi) (contributing factor) - rotor rpm - not maintained, pilot in command(cfi) (cause) - Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown - terrain condition - runway ## Analysis According to the instructor, after demonstrating some ground maneuvers, he entered the pattern to demonstrate a practice autorotation. The instructor stated that they entered the autorotation at approximately 850 feet above the ground. The airspeed, and rpm were in the green, and the descent was around 1500 feet per minute. The instructor stated that at approximately 40 feet above the ground, they started the flare. At the end of the flare, he announced "recover," and then announced, "I have the controls." The instructor was unable to recover the engine rpm. The instructor leveled the helicopter and landed hard on the runway. The impact with the runway crushed the landing gear skids upward, and buckled the fuselage and tail boom. ## Factual narrative On August 24, 2004, at approximately 1350 mountain daylight time, a Robinson R22, N7530D, operated by Cross Country Aviation Inc., was substantially damaged during a hard landing at Logan-Cache Airport (LGU), Logan, Utah. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The local instructional flight was being conducted under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91 without a flight plan. The commercial certificated instructor and private pilot receiving instruction were not injured. The flight originated at approximately 1330. According to the instructor, after demonstrating some ground maneuvers, he entered the pattern to demonstrate a "practice autorotation with a power recovery." The instructor stated that, at approximately 850 feet above the ground, on approach to runway 35, he entered the autorotation. In the glide, the airspeed "was 65 to 70 knots, [rotor] rpm was in the green, and the descent was around 1500 feet per minute. Everything was good." The instructor stated that at approximately 40 feet above the ground, "we" started the flare. At the end of the flare, I announced "recover." The student was "very tight on the throttle." Then I announced, "I have the controls." The instructor said he was unable to recover the [engine] rpm. The instructor leveled the helicopter and landed hard on the runway. The impact with the runway crushed the landing gear skids upward, and buckled the fuselage and tail boom. At 1351, the recorded weather conditions at Logan (4,454 feet msl) were, wind, 000 degrees at 0 knots; visibility, 10 statute miles; sky condition, overcast at 085; temperature, 19 degrees C.; dew point, 08 degrees C.; altimeter setting, 29.96. The calculated density altitude was 5,939 feet msl. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7530D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7530D-2024-06-15), registration cancelled 2024-06-15, S/N 3619, built 2004 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Robinson 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-J2A](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-360-j2a) (registry code 42314, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 3619 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-J2A 145 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Registered owner: Lift Off Leasing Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: LGU, Logan, UT - Destination: LGU, Logan, UT - Airport: LGU, Logan-Cache Airport, runway 35 ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Flight instructor; age 35; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; medical: class 2; seat: left; flight hours: 607 total, 575 in this make and model, 160 in the last 90 days, 60 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day ## 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 20040824018189A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040824018189A), Aug 24, 2004: Robsin R22BETA, Logan, UT, Substantial damage. (-23) Instructor was training student pilot in straight in autorotations with power recovery. Maneuver was entered at 850 feet AGL and 70 KIAS. Glide appeared… ## Other investigations on N7530D (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 WPR23LA147](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23LA147), Apr 8, 2023: Robinson Helicopter R22 Beta (N7530D), Midway, UT, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain aircraft control during a pinnacle landing that resulted in a hard landing and subsequent roll over. 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.