# NTSB DEN99LA171: Robinson R22, N8360J, St. George, UT, September 26, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 25, 1999, 18:40 local (Sep 26, 1999, 00:40 UTC) - Place: St. George, UT - Coordinates: 37.1791, -113.599723 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.1791&lon=-113.5997&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 4, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 47439 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN99LA171 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/47439/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN99LA171 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate visual lookout. Factors included the pilot concentrating on the maneuver being practiced to such an extent that he was inattentive to outside surroundings, and the sun glare. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, maneuvering - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - inattentive, pilot in command (contributing factor) - light condition - sunglare (contributing factor) - object - wire,transmission - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled ## Analysis The private pilot, who held an airplane single-engine land rating, was practicing maneuvers in preparation for taking the private pilot-helicopter practical test. He decided to practice 'quick stops,' and flew to an uninhabited area. The pilot wrote, 'I was practicing the part where the helicopter is leveled out after the flare to slow down and just before you go to a hover. I knew there was a power line in the area, but I thought I was 200 yards away from it.' As he transitioned from a hover to forward flight, he saw the power line 120 feet ahead. He attempted to fly over the line, but snagged it with the skids. The helicopter fell 100 feet, landing on its right side. ## Factual narrative On September 25, 1999, approximately 1840 mountain daylight time, a Robinson R22, N8360J, operated by Ruesch Machines, was substantially damaged when it collided with powerlines while maneuvering 7 miles northeast of St. George, Utah. The pilot, the sole occupant aboard, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the instructional flight being conducted under Title 14 CFR Part 91, and no flight plan had been filed. The local flight originated at St. George at 1730. The private pilot, who held an airplane single-engine land rating, was practicing maneuvers in preparation for taking the private pilot-helicopter practical test. He decided to practice "quick stops," and flew to an uninhabited area. In his accident report the pilot wrote, "I was practicing the part where the helicopter is leveled out after the flare to slow down and just before you go to a hover. I knew there was a power line in the area, but I thought I was 200 yards away from it." As the pilot transitioned from a hover to forward flight, he saw the power line 120 feet ahead. He attempted to fly over the line, but snagged it with the skids. The helicopter fell 100 feet, landing on its right side. Commenting on how the accident could have been prevented, the pilot wrote: "1. Not concentrating on the maneuver so intently that everything else is forgotten. 2. Never fly into the sun regardless of which way the wind is blowing. 3. Never fly near any power line." In his accident report, the pilot indicated that his last flight review was done on February 23, 1995. According to Title 14 CFR Part 61, the pilot in command must have accomplished a flight review within the previous 24 calendar months [FAR 61.56(c)(1)]. If, however, "the pilot is undergoing training for a certificate and has a current solo endorsement as required under FAR 61.87," he is exempted from complying with that section [FAR 61.56(8)]. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8360J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8360J-2018-01-26), registration cancelled 2018-01-26, S/N 2764, built 1997 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Robinson R22 - Registry model: [Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA](https://openairdocs.org/model/robinson-helicopter-r22-beta) (registry code 7640110) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-360-C1F](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-360-c1f) (registry code 41573, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 2764 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-J2A 131 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Registered owner: Ruco Leasing, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, January 5, 1999, 55 hours before - Departed: SGU, ST. GEORGE, UT ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 48; student, private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 750 total, 70 in this make and model, 30 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk - Wind: 240° at 10 knots - Visibility: 100 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 39 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: SGU, 7 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 19990925027889A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990925027889A), Sep 25, 1999: Robsin R22ALPHA, St. George, UT, Substantial damage. (.19) On September 25, 1999, approx. 1840 mountain daylight time, a Robinson R22, N8360J, operated by ruesch machines, was substantially damaged when it… 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.