# NTSB DEN07LA167: Robinson R-22 Beta, N74557, Silver City, NM, September 29, 2007

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 29, 2007, 10:00 local (16:00 UTC)
- Place: Silver City, NM
- Coordinates: 33.016666, -108.433334
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.0167&lon=-108.4333&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 28, 2008
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: Federal Aviation Administration
- NTSB case key (mKey): 66786
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN07LA167
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/66786/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN07LA167

## Probable cause

The student pilot's failure to maintain control of the helicopter resulting in his settling with power and subsequent impact with terrain.  A factor contributing to the accident was the trees.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - settling with power - encountered, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, descent - uncontrolled
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - ravine

## Analysis

The student pilot reported that he was tying to locate a fence in the bottom of a narrow canyon .  As he was making a turn, the helicopter encountered a tailwind which caused it to settle. The main rotor struck a tree and the helicopter subsequently impacted the terrain. An examination of the helicopter systems showed no anomalies.

## Factual narrative

On September 29, 2007, at 1000 mountain daylight time, a Robinson R-22 BETA, N74557, piloted by a solo student pilot, descended uncontrollably, struck trees, and impacted terrain 40 miles northwest of Silver City, New Mexico. The local personal flight was being conducted without a flight plan under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The student pilot was not injured and the helicopter was substantially damaged. The flight originated from a private ranch at Douglas, Arizona, at 0630.

The student pilot reported that he was tying to locate a fence in the bottom of a narrow canyon .  As he was making a turn, the helicopter encountered a tailwind which caused it to settle. The main rotor struck a tree and the helicopter subsequently impacted the terrain.

The helicopter was found resting on it's left side. An examination of the helicopter showed substantial damage to the cabin area and the main rotor separated. An examination of the helicopter systems showed no anomalies.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N74557](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N74557), registered now, S/N 3900, built 2005 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Robinson R-22 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: 3900
- Engines: Lycoming O-360 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Richard R. Snure
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: Douglas, AZ

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 59; injuries: none; student; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: right; flight hours: 1,400 total, 360 in the last 90 days, 100 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 13 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 30.12 inHg
- Observed at: SVC, 40 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 20070929830149A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20070929830149A), Sep 29, 2007: Robsin R22BETA, Rodeo, NM, Substantial damage. (-23) The pilot [privacy data omitted] stated that he operated his aircraft over a ridge line into a narrow valley. As he descended into the valley to check…

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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