# NTSB DEN07CA131: Robinson Helicopter R22 Beta, N7508Y, Erie, CO, July 31, 2007 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 31, 2007, 14:40 local (20:40 UTC) - Place: Erie, CO - Coordinates: 40.000831, -105.034721 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.0008&lon=-105.0347&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 30, 2007 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA Flight Standards District Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 66356 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN07CA131 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/66356/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN07CA131 ## Probable cause The student pilot's failure to maintain rotor rpm resulting in a loss of aircraft control during a simulated 180 degree auto-rotation. Contributing to the accident was the inadequate flight status supervision by the flight instructor and the student pilot's inadequate recovery procedures. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, landing - autorotation - attempted, dual student - rotor rpm - not maintained, dual student (cause) - aircraft control - not maintained, dual student (cause) - remedial action - inadequate, dual student (contributing factor) - supervision - inadequate, pilot in command(cfi) (contributing factor) - In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - terrain condition - runway ## Analysis According to the flight instructor, he and his private pilot student were conducting a "currency flight" and the instructor had just finished demonstrating a 180 degree autorotation. The student was performing a second 180 degree autorotation. The instructor stated that at 200 feet above ground level, the student brought power on; however, the rotor rpm was low. The instructor stated that the student brought the "collective up" and the rotor rpm continued to drop. The helicopter impacted the runway in a "high rate of descent", resulting in substantial damage. The instructor reported no anomalies with the helicopter or its systems. An examination of the helicopter's systems revealed no anomalies. ## Factual narrative According to a telephone conversation and the Pilot Aircraft Accident report submitted by the flight instructor, he and his private pilot student were conducting a "currency flight" and the instructor had just finished demonstrating a 180 degree autorotation. The student was performing a second 180 degree autorotation. The instructor stated that at 200 feet above ground level, the student brought power on; however, the rotor rpm was low. The instructor stated that the student brought the "collective up" and the rotor rpm continued to drop. The helicopter impacted the runway in a "high rate of descent", spreading both landing skids out laterally and "denting" the tail boom. The instructor reported no anomalies with the helicopter or its systems. An examination of the helicopter's systems, conducted by the FAA, revealed no anomalies. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7508Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7508Y-2012-12-04), registration cancelled 2012-12-04, S/N 3757, built 2005 (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: 3757 - Engines: Lycoming O-360 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Premier Helicopters - Registered owner: Matthew Spitzer - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: KBJC, Broomfield, CO - Destination: KBJC, Broomfield, CO - Airport: KEIK, Erie Municipal Airport, runway 15, 4,700 × 60 ft, concrete ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 30; injuries: none; private; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review July 1, 2007; seat: rear; flight hours: 67 total, 22 in this make and model, 25 as pilot in command, 2 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours - Flight instructor; age 28; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review December 1, 2005; seat: right; flight hours: 998 total, 771 in this make and model, 914 as pilot in command, 188 in the last 90 days, 58 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 170° at 5 knots - Visibility: 15 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 50 °F - Altimeter: 30.07 inHg - Observed at: KBJC, 7 nm away ## Other investigations on N7508Y (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 WPR12LA109](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR12LA109), Feb 20, 2012: Robinson Helicopter R22 Beta (N7508Y), Antioch, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The failure of both pilots to see and avoid each other during cruise flight, which resulted in a midair collision. Contributing to the accident was the failure of air traffic control personnel to… 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.