# NTSB ERA10CA319: Robinson Helicopter R22 Beta, N7988H, West Palm Beach, FL, June 19, 2010

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: June 19, 2010, 10:50 local (14:50 UTC)
- Place: West Palm Beach, FL
- Coordinates: 26.845832, -80.222221 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.8458&lon=-80.2222&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Dynamic rollover](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/231)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 7, 2011
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation
- Parties: FAA/FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 76390
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA10CA319
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/76390/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=76390
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA10CA319

## Probable cause

The CFI's failure to prevent ground contact during hover, which resulted in a dynamic rollover.

## Findings

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

- [Action: lack of action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Instructor/check pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA, 16 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030/cases.md?model=7640110), [All aircraft, 792 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

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

- [Maneuvering-hover: Altitude deviation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/282); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/282/sequence.md?model=7640110), [All aircraft, 104 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/282/sequence.md)
- [Landing-flare/touchdown: Dynamic rollover](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/231) (defining event); 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

The certificated flight instructor (CFI) stated that he was tasked with flying with the student the morning of the accident. He spoke with the student's regular CFI and was briefed on his progress and ability. The helicopter was taxied to a defined spot on the airport and he began teaching the student how to hover. Approximately 15 to 20 minutes into the flight, while still practicing hovering, the CFI felt the helicopter moving aft followed by a violent jolt. The helicopter rolled onto the left side and caught fire. A postaccident inspection of the helicopter revealed that the main rotor hub was fractured and the associated main rotor blade was in 2 pieces.

## Factual narrative

The certified flight instructor (CFI) stated that he was tasked with flying with the student the morning of the accident. He then spoke with the student's CFI and was briefed on his progress and ability. Preparation for the flight included weight and balance check, and a check of the weather. Preflight inspection of the helicopter and operational checks of the helicopter were performed using the checklist. The helicopter was taxied to a defined spot on the airport and he began teaching the student how to hover. The CFI allowed the student to control each control independently, then allowed the student to hover with corrective input from him. Approximately 15 to 20 minutes into the instructional flight while hovering, the CFI later reported recalling the helicopter moving aft followed by a violent jolt. The helicopter rolled onto the left side and caught fire. Both occupants exited the helicopter from the right side and were not injured. Inspection of the helicopter following recovery revealed the main rotor hub was fractured and the associated main rotor blade was in 2 pieces located approximately 30 and 60 yards away, respectively. The fracture surface of the main rotor hub exhibited features consistent with cantilever bending overstress, and the separated section of the main rotor blade exhibited compression wrinkles.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7988H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7988H-2010-10-05), registration cancelled 2010-10-05, S/N 4374, 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: 4374
- Airframe hours: 1087
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-J2A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Cloud 9 Helicopters LLC
- Registered owner: Higgins Leasing, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, June 17, 2010
- Departed: F45, West Palm Beach, FL
- Destination: F45, West Palm Beach, FL
- Airport: F45, North Palm Beach County Genera

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Flight instructor; age 30; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 1,120 total, 970 in this make and model, 1,090 as pilot in command, 133 in the last 90 days, 36 in the last 30 days
- Student pilot; age 23; injuries: none; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; seat: right; flight hours: 7 total, 7 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 70 °F
- Altimeter: 30.09 inHg
- Observed at: PBI, 12 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 20100619041749A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20100619041749A), Jun 19, 2010: Robinson He R22 BETA, West Palm Beach, FL, Destroyed. Helicopter flight intructions were being conducted by CFI with student, located at North County Airport (F45), Palm Beach Florida. The location at the airport…

## Docket (5 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 17, 2010, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=76390. 1.3 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 493 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40331975&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF
- Witness Statements (item 2, .PDF, 97 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40331994&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Witness%20Statements-Redacted.PDF
- Weather Reports and Records (item 3, .PDF, 90 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40331995&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Reports%20and%20Records-Master.PDF
- Photo 1: Digital Photograph Provided by the Operator. View of the Fracture Surface of the Main Rotor Hub. (item 4, .PDF, 310 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40331998&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%3A%20Digital%20Photograph%20Provided%20by%20the%20Operator.%20View%20of%20the%20Fracture%20Surface%20of%20the%20Main%20Rotor%20Hub.-Master.PDF
- Photo 2: Digital Photograph Provided by the Operator. View of the Main Rotor Blade that Separated. Note the Compression Wrinkles in Both Sections of the Blade. (item 5, .PDF, 330 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40331999&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%3A%20Digital%20Photograph%20Provided%20by%20the%20Operator.%20View%20of%20the%20Main%20Rotor%20Blade%20that%20Separated.%20Note%20the%20Compression%20Wrinkles%20in%20Both%20Sections%20of%20the%20Blade.-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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