# NTSB ERA09CA205: Robinson Helicopter R22 Beta, N2360M, Richmond, VA, March 22, 2009

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: March 21, 2009, 21:15 local (Mar 22, 2009, 01:15 UTC)
- Place: Richmond, VA
- Coordinates: 37.408332, -77.41333 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.4083&lon=-77.4133&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Enroute-cruise: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report June 11, 2009
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation
- Parties: FAA/FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 73528
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA09CA205
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/73528/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=73528
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA09CA205

## Probable cause

A loss of engine power due to the pilot inadvertently shutting down the engine.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Engine controls: mixture control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057602): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Unnecessary use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057602/cases.md?model=7640110), [All aircraft, 41 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057602/cases.md)
- [Action: incorrect action performance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015): Personnel issues › Action/decision · 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)
- [Object/animal/substance: wire](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md?model=7640110), [All aircraft, 588 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Enroute-cruise: Engine shutdown](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/140); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/140/sequence.md?model=7640110), [All aircraft, 80 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/140/sequence.md)
- [Enroute-cruise: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) (defining event); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA, 18 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=7640110), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md)
- [Autorotation: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA, 23 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=7640110), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md)
- [Autorotation: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA, 85 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7640110), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The helicopter pilot stated that, upon reaching cruising altitude, he reached to pull the trim adjustment knob but inadvertently pulled the mixture control knob, which caused the engine to shutdown. The pilot immediately lowered the collective lever and entered an autorotation. He attempted to restart the engine using the throttle and the starter but did not advance the mixture control from the idle cut off position. As he flared the helicopter to land, the windscreen contacted powerlines, and then the helicopter struck an automobile on a roadway. The helicopter sustained damage to the windscreen, main rotor blades, and tailboom. The Pilot's Operating Handbook for the Robinson R-22 states that "If the mixture control is inadvertently pulled in flight, engine stoppage will result. To avoid pulling the wrong control, always reach around left side of cyclic to actuate lateral trim."

## Factual narrative

The pilot of the Robinson R-22 helicopter stated that upon reaching cruising altitude, he reached to pull the trim adjustment knob, but inadvertently pulled the mixture control knob, which caused the engine to shutdown. The pilot immediately lowered the collective lever and entered an autorotation. He attempted to restart the engine, using the throttle and the starter, but did not advance the mixture control from the idle cut off position. As he flared the helicopter to land, the windscreen contacted powerlines, and then the helicopter struck an automobile on a roadway. The helicopter sustained damage to the windscreen, main rotor blades, and tailboom. The pilot operating handbook for the Robinson R-22 helicopter states that "If the mixture control is inadvertently pulled in flight, engine stoppage will result. To avoid pulling the wrong control, always reach around left side of cyclic to actuate lateral trim."

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2360M](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2360M-2009-04-14), registration cancelled 2009-04-14, S/N 2340, built 1993 (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 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 2340
- Airframe hours: 2952
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 SERIES 131 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Paul D Jackson
- Registered owner: Paul D Jackson
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 17, 2008, 98 hours before
- Departed: RIC, Richmond, VA
- Destination: Victoria, VA
- Airport: RIC, Richmond International Airport

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 56; injuries: minor; private; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review March 11, 2008; seat: right; flight hours: 901 total, 747 in this make and model, 851 as pilot in command, 66 in the last 90 days, 22 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 48 °F, dew point 16 °F
- Observed at: RIC, 10 nm away

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 10, 2009, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=73528. 324 KB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 246 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40311157&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF
- R-22 POH (item 2, .PDF, 78 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40311159&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=R-22%20POH-Master.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.

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