# NTSB DEN05CA085: Robinson R22 Beta II, N993RW, Wallsburg, UT, June 7, 2005 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 7, 2005, 15:00 local (21:00 UTC) - Place: Wallsburg, UT - Coordinates: 40.235, -111.231109 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.2350&lon=-111.2311&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 13, 2005 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA Flight Standards District Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 61659 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN05CA085 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/61659/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN05CA085 ## Probable cause the flight instructor's inadequate in-flight planning and decision making and failure to maintain aircraft control. Contributing factor's include the flight instructor's inadequate supervision of the flight, the student pilot's failure to maintain rotor rpm, the high density altitude, and the muddy terrain. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, hover - rotor rpm - not maintained, dual student (contributing factor) - in-flight planning/decision - inadequate, pilot in command(cfi) (cause) - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command(cfi) (cause) - supervision - inadequate, pilot in command(cfi) (contributing factor) - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - ground - Roll over, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - muddy (contributing factor) ## Analysis According to the flight instructor, they were practicing confined area approach procedures. During the approach the rpm began to decay and the flight instructor took control of the helicopter and initiated a low rotor rpm recovery. Normal rotor rpm returned, but a significant loss of altitude had occurred so the flight instructor elected to land. After landing the instructor stated that he initiated a vertical climb to "establish power capability" and then descended back down to "start their climb." As a positive climb rate was established, the flight instructor attempted to gain forward speed to help the climb rate. The helicopter began sinking so he maneuvered down to the ground at which time the right skid of the helicopter "sunk into the mud," and the helicopter rolled over, causing substantial damage. The accident site elevation was estimated to be 8,000 feet msl. The calculated density altitude varied between 8,916 feet and 9,732 feet. ## Factual narrative On June 7, 2005, approximately 1500 mountain daylight time, a Robinson R22 Beta II, N993RW, operated by Silver State Helicopters LLC., was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain 10 miles southeast of Wallsburg, 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 flight instructor and commercial certificated pilot receiving instruction (hereafter referred to as the student) reported no injuries. The local flight departed Provo, Utah, approximately 1430. According to the accident report submitted by the flight instructor, they were practicing confined area approach procedures. In a separate statement s the student, stated that during the approach he "started to pull up on the collective," at which time the rpm began to decay. The flight instructor stated he took control of the helicopter and initiated a low rotor rpm recovery. Normal rotor rpm returned, but a significant loss of altitude had occurred so the flight instructor elected to land. The instructor stated that, after landing, he initiated a vertical climb to "establish power capability" and then descended back down to "start their climb." As a positive climb rate was established, the flight instructor attempted to gain forward speed to help the climb rate. The helicopter began sinking so he maneuvered down to the ground at which time the right skid of the helicopter "sunk into the mud," and the helicopter rolled over. Both the main rotor and the tail rotor blades were bent, the left skid was bent under the helicopter, and the fuselage was wrinkled. An examination of the helicopter's systems revealed no anomalies. The accident site elevation was estimated to be 8,000 feet msl. The calculated density altitude varied between 8,916 feet and 9,732 feet. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N993RW](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N993RW-2015-05-19), registration cancelled 2015-05-19, S/N 3507, built 2003 (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-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-360-series) (registry code 41575, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 3507 - Airframe hours: 1550.6 - Engines: Lycoming O-360 J2A 131 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Registered owner: Silver State Helicopters LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: AAIP, May 1, 2005, 36 hours before - Departed: PVU, Provo, UT - Destination: PVU, Provo, UT - Airport: KPVU, Provo ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Flight instructor; age 29; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor; medical: class 2; last flight review March 1, 2004; seat: right; flight hours: 1,301 total, 1,258 in this make and model, 1,228 as pilot in command, 252 in the last 90 days, 94 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours - Student pilot; age 27; injuries: none; commercial; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review May 1, 2004; seat: left; flight hours: 186 total, 176 in this make and model, 128 as pilot in command, 72 in the last 90 days, 27 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 310° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 45 °F, dew point 30 °F - Altimeter: 29.97 inHg - Observed at: PVU, 25 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 20050607009719A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20050607009719A), Jun 7, 2005: Robsin R22BETA, Heber, UT, Substantial damage. (-23) On 06/07/05 at 1455 MDT a Robinson R-22 beta, N993RW, s/n 3507, made a forced landing in a remote area 3 miles west of strawberry reservoir, at 8000… ## Other investigations on N993RW (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 DEN05LA042](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN05LA042), Dec 19, 2004: Robinson R22 (N993RW), Park City, UT, substantial damage. Probable cause: the student pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control, and the instructor's inadequate supervision by her failure to assure adequate rotor rpm was maintained. 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.