# NTSB ERA09CA401: Robinson Helicopter R22 Beta, N211SH, Bedford, MA, July 13, 2009

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: July 13, 2009, 13:53 local (17:53 UTC)
- Place: Bedford, MA
- Coordinates: 42.469722, -71.288887 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.4697&lon=-71.2889&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: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 30, 2009
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation
- Parties: FAA/FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 74263
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA09CA401
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/74263/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74263
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA09CA401

## Probable cause

The flight instructor's inadequate remedial action while conducting hover practice with a student pilot, which resulted in the helicopter rolling over when it contacted the ground.

## Findings

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

- [Performance/control parameters: descent rate](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062037): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062037/cases.md?model=7640110), [All aircraft, 242 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062037/cases.md)
- [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Student/instructed pilot; 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)
- [Action: delayed action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Instructor/check pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA, 35 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md?model=7640110), [All aircraft, 894 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/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)
- [Landing-flare/touchdown: Dynamic rollover](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/231); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA, 35 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/231/sequence.md?model=7640110), [All aircraft, 161 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/231/sequence.md)

## Analysis

According to the certificated flight instructor, he was performing hover practice with the student pilot in a grassy area beside a taxiway. During the practice, the helicopter climbed to approximately 20 feet above ground level, and then the instructor advised the student to position the helicopter at a lower altitude. The instructor stated that the helicopter began “a high rate of descent which [he] was unable to arrest prior to ground contact.” He also said that the helicopter developed a “dynamic rolling moment that full down collective was unable to stop.” The helicopter rolled and came to rest on its left side, substantially damaging the tail boom, skids, and main rotor. The winds reported at the airport about the time of the accident were from 250 degrees at 13 knots gusting to 17 knots. The pilot did not report any mechanical anomalies with the helicopter.

## Factual narrative

According to the certificated flight instructor, he was performing hover practice with the student pilot in a grassy area beside a taxiway. During the practice, the helicopter climbed to approximately 20 feet above ground level, and then the instructor advised the student to position the helicopter at a lower altitude. The instructor stated that the helicopter began “a high rate of descent which [he] was unable to arrest prior to ground contact.” He also said that the helicopter developed a “dynamic rolling moment that full down collective was unable to stop.” The helicopter rolled and came to rest on its left side, substantially damaging the tail boom, skids, and main rotor. The winds reported at the airport about the time of the accident were from 250 degrees at 13 knots gusting to 17 knots. The pilot did not report any mechanical anomalies with the helicopter.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N211SH](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N211SH-2009-09-10), registration cancelled 2009-09-10, S/N 3992, 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: 3992
- Airframe hours: 2085
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360 SERIES 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: East Coast Aero Club
- Registered owner: Plane Nonsense Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, May 7, 2009
- Departed: BED, Bedford, MA
- Destination: BED, Bedford, MA
- Flight plan: Unknown
- Airport: BED, Laurence G. Hanscom Field Airp

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Flight instructor; age 39; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review June 4, 2009; seat: left; flight hours: 1,064 total, 887 in this make and model, 980 as pilot in command, 65 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours
- Student pilot; age 31; injuries: minor; student; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: right; flight hours: 20 total, 20 in this make and model, 20 in the last 90 days, 80 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 250° at 13 knots, gusting 17
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 48 °F
- Altimeter: 29.81 inHg
- Observed at: BED

## 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 20090713011709A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20090713011709A), Jul 13, 2009: Robsin R22BETA, Bedford, MA, Substantial damage. (-23) The accident aircraft and crew were engaged in what was the students second instructional flight. After completing an uneventful portion of the flight…

## Docket (5 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 18, 2009, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74263. 2.0 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 601 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40316552&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF
- Pilot Statements and Interview Summaries (item 2, .PDF, 452 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40316553&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20Statements%20and%20Interview%20Summaries-Redacted.PDF
- Wreckage Diagram and Summary (item 3, .PDF, 202 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40316554&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Wreckage%20Diagram%20and%20Summary-Master.PDF
- Weather Report - BED METARs (item 4, .PDF, 92 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40316555&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Report%20-%20BED%20METARs-Master.PDF
- Photograph - Helicopter as it came to rest (provided by FAA) (item 5, .PDF, 698 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40316556&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photograph%20-%20Helicopter%20as%20it%20came%20to%20rest%20(provided%20by%20FAA)-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.

---
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.