# NTSB ERA09CA155: Robinson Helicopter R22 Beta, N7687H, Sevierville, TN, February 3, 2009 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: February 3, 2009, 12:30 local (17:30 UTC) - Place: Sevierville, TN - Coordinates: 35.857776, -83.52861 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.8578&lon=-83.5286&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering-hover: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 13, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 73315 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA09CA155 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/73315/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=73315 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA09CA155 ## Probable cause The flight instructor's improper remedial action following the student pilot's loss of control. Contributing to the accident was the student pilot's loss of control. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Action: incorrect action performance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Instructor/check pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA, 18 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md?model=7640110), [All aircraft, 1,386 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained; cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA, 14 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=7640110), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Student/instructed pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA, 96 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7640110), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering-hover: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA, 67 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=7640110), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to the flight instructor, the student pilot was hover taxiing the helicopter along a taxiway that paralleled Runway 10 when she asked him to stop and make a left, 90-degree pedal turn. At the time, winds were from 230 degrees at 8 knots. The student pilot initiated the pedal turn and, as the helicopter reached the 90-degree position, it began a spin to the left, which increased in velocity. The flight instructor then advised the student pilot that she had the controls; however, the spin would not stop. It became "very fast and I wasn't sure which way we were spinning." The flight instructor then reduced the throttle, but the spin "got faster," so she quickly lowered the collective "to get the helicopter on the ground." The helicopter then landed hard, the left landing gear impacted the engine exhaust, the tail rotor blades hit the ground and were sheared off, and the tail boom was separated near the transmission. No preaccident mechanical anomalies were noted with the helicopter. ## Factual narrative According to the flight instructor, the student pilot was hover taxiing the helicopter along a taxiway that paralleled runway 10, when she asked him to stop, and make a left, 90-degree pedal turn. At the time, winds were from 230 degrees, at 8 knots. The student pilot initiated the pedal turn, and as the helicopter reached the 90-degree position, it began a spin to the left, which increased in velocity. The flight instructor then advised the student pilot that she had the controls; however, the spin would not stop. It became "very fast and I wasn't sure which way we were spinning." The flight instructor then reduced the throttle, but the spin "got faster," so she quickly lowered the collective "to get the helicopter on the ground." The helicopter then landed "hard," the left landing gear impacted the engine exhaust, the tail rotor blades hit the ground and were sheared off, and the tail boom was separated near the transmission. No preaccident mechanical anomalies were noted with the helicopter. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7687H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7687H-2019-11-26), registration cancelled 2019-11-26, S/N 4370, built 2008 (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-J2A](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-360-j2a) (registry code 42314, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 4370 - Airframe hours: 280 - Engines: LYCOMING O-360-J2A 145 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Scenic Helicopters - Registered owner: Higgins Leasing Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, December 6, 2008, 93 hours before - Departed: GKT, Sevierville, TN - Destination: GKT, Sevierville, TN - Airport: GKT, Gatlinburg - Pigeon Forge ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Flight instructor; age 35; injuries: none; commercial; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2; last flight review August 18, 2008; seat: left; flight hours: 530 total, 450 in this make and model - Student pilot; age 32; injuries: none; student; medical: class 2; seat: right; flight hours: 15 total, 15 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 230° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles ## 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 20090203000689A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20090203000689A), Feb 3, 2009: Robsin R22BETA, Sevierville, TN, Substantial damage. On 02/03/2009, N7687H, R22 beta was being operated part 91 in instructional use by rambo helicopters, [privacy data omitted] owner. The helicopter was occupied… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 16, 2009, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=73315. 423 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 423 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40313469&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF 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.