# NTSB ERA09LA360: Robinson R22, N2306T, Del Ray Beach, FL, June 21, 2009 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 21, 2009, 01:20 local (05:20 UTC) - Place: Del Ray Beach, FL - Coordinates: 26.345832, -80.116668 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.3458&lon=-80.1167&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute-change of cruise level: Powerplant sys/comp malf/fail](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/340) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report December 20, 2010 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: Robinson Helicopters, FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 74092 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA09LA360 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/74092/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74092 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA09LA360 ## Probable cause An in-flight failure of the main drive vee belts. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Aircraft](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01020000): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Damaged/degraded (probable cause); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01020000/cases.md?model=7640110), [All aircraft, 63 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01020000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute-change of cruise level: Powerplant sys/comp malf/fail](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/340) (defining event); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/340/sequence.md?model=7640110), [All aircraft, 820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/340/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: Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120/sequence.md?model=7640110), [All aircraft, 1,074 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to the certified flight instructor (CFI), they were at 3000 feet with an airspeed of 65 -70 knots when he felt a low frequency vibration throughout the helicopter. He described the vibration as being a lateral vibration as if coming from the tailrotor. He did not remember feeling the vibration in the pedal or cyclic, but more of an overall vibration. According to the student pilot, during a change in cruise altitude from 3,500 feet mean sea level (MSL) to 4,000 msl, they felt an airframe vibration. The vibration increased in intensity to a point where they could not read the instrument panel and they both observed the rotor brake light and clutch light illuminate. The CFI took control of the helicopter and initiated an emergency autorotation. Examination of both main drive vee belts showed they were off their pulleys. The forward vee belt left black residue on the front side of the pulley and shaft. The rear vee belt was broken in two and also had breaks in the center between the two V sections. Other than the breaks, the belts had no evidence of deterioration. There was no indication that the belts had visible damaged prior to the flight. A review of the helicopters logbooks found no entries as to when the belts were last changed. ## Factual narrative On June 21, 2009, about 0120 eastern daylight time, a Robinson R-22 Beta helicopter, N2306T, collided with trees while executing an emergency autorotation in Del Ray Beach, Florida. The certificated flight instructor (CFI) and student pilot received minor injuries and the helicopter sustained substantial damage. The flight was operated as an instructional flight under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91, with an instrument flight rules (IFR) flight plan filed. Night visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The flight originated from the Palm Beach County Park Airport (LNA), Lantana, Florida, at 0105, and was enroute to Kendall-Tamiami Executive Airport (TMB), Miami, Florida, when the accident occurred. According to the CFI, they had taken off from LNA and just opened their flight plan with Miami Center. They were at 3000 feet with an airspeed of 65 -70 knots when he felt a low frequency vibration throughout the helicopter. He described the vibration as being a lateral vibration as if coming from the tailrotor. He did not remember feeling the vibration in the pedal or cyclic, but more of an overall vibration. He took over the controls from the student and lowered the collective, but could not remember if he rolled the throttle off or not. He decided on a spot to autorotate into. He noticed the clutch light was on and one other light, but wasn’t sure which light it was, it’s color or location on the panel. He said the vibration did not get any better or any worse as he reduced power and he never attempted to add power. He was confident there was no overspeed of the engine or the rotor and he did not recall hearing the low rotor RPM warning horn. As they approached the chosen spot, he saw wires and decided on a second spot closer to some trees. The helicopter made contact with the trees and the ground. According to the student pilot, during a change in cruise altitude from 3,500 feet mean sea level (MSL) to 4,000 msl, they felt an airframe vibration. The vibration increased in intensity to a point where they could not read the instrument panel and they both observed the rotor brake light and clutch light illuminate. The CFI took control of the helicopter and initiated an emergency autorotation. During flare/touchdown the low rotor rpm light and horn came on as the helicopter stuck some trees and rolled onto its right side. Examination of the helicopter by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Inspector found the leading edge of the main rotor blades had no impact damage and other than being bent, the blades were intact. The pitch control rod to one blade was broken on impact. The temperature tape on the main gearbox was within normal range. The tail rotor blades or gearbox showed no impact damage. The right side of the horizontal stabilizer was bent from impact with the ground on the right side of the helicopter. The tail section was broken and bent downward and to the left. The vibrationdampener inside the tail cone was not damaged. Both main drive vee belts were off their pulleys. The forward vee belt left black residue on the front side of the pulley and shaft. The rear vee belt was broken in two and also had breaks in the center between the two v sections. Other than the breaks, the belts had no evidence of deterioration. There was no indication that the belts had visible damaged prior to the flight. A review of the helicopters logbooks found no entries as to when the drive vee belts were last changed. The was last engine overhauled 430.5 hours prior to the accident. The total time on the helicopter at the time of the accident was 6,630.6 hours. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2306T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2306T-2013-07-11), registration cancelled 2013-07-11, S/N 1951, built 1991 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: ROBINSON 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: 1951 - Airframe hours: 6631 - Engines: Lycoming O320-B2L 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Airmen Testing and Training, Inc, doing business as Palm Beach Helicopters - Registered owner: Matthew Spitzer - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, May 29, 2009, 35 hours before - Departed: LNA, Lantana, FL - Destination: TMB, Miami, FL - Flight plan: IFR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Flight instructor; age 28; injuries: minor; flight instructor, commercial; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review December 19, 2008; seat: left; flight hours: 368 total, 285 as pilot in command, 95 in the last 90 days - Student pilot; age 20; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review December 17, 2008; seat: right; flight hours: 104 total, 58 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/bright - Wind: 130° at 9 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 73 °F - Altimeter: 29.87 inHg - Observed at: PBI ## Docket (11 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 19, 2010, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74092. 2.1 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 339 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40329210&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Pilot Statement (item 2, .PDF, 44 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40329211&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20Statement-Master.PDF - Student Pilot Statement (item 3, .PDF, 35 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40329212&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Student%20Pilot%20Statement-Master.PDF - Statement of Party Representatives to NTSB Investigation (item 4, .PDF, 61 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40329213&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Statement%20of%20Party%20Representatives%20to%20NTSB%20Investigation-Redacted.PDF - FAA Digital Photo: Aircraft as it came to rest. (item 5, .PDF, 145 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40329214&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Digital%20Photo%3A%20Aircraft%20as%20it%20came%20to%20rest.-Master.PDF - FAA Digital Photo: Main rotor blades (item 6, .PDF, 136 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40329215&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Digital%20Photo%3A%20Main%20rotor%20blades-Master.PDF - FAA Digital Photo; Tail Rotor Assembly (item 7, .PDF, 125 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40329216&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Digital%20Photo;%20Tail%20Rotor%20Assembly-Master.PDF - FAA Digital Photo; Drive Belt 1 (item 8, .PDF, 102 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40329217&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Digital%20Photo;%20Drive%20Belt%201-Master.PDF - FAA Digital Photo: Drive Belt 2 (item 9, .PDF, 84 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40329218&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Digital%20Photo%3A%20Drive%20Belt%202-Master.PDF - FAA Digital Photo; Drive belt 3 (item 10, .PDF, 109 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40329219&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Digital%20Photo;%20Drive%20belt%203-Master.PDF - Maintenance Records (item 11, .PDF, 924 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40329221&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Maintenance%20Records-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.