# NTSB ERA10LA190: Robinson R22, N72377, Miami, FL, March 28, 2010 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 28, 2010, 12:15 local (16:15 UTC) - Place: Miami, FL - Coordinates: 25.77861, -80.081108 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=25.7786&lon=-80.0811&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Loss of lift](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/500) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 12, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA / FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 75591 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA10LA190 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/75591/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=75591 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA10LA190 ## Probable cause A loss of main rotor rpm for undetermined reasons. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Main rotor system: main rotor blade system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01046210): Aircraft › Aircraft propeller/rotor · Not specified (probable cause); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01046210/cases.md?model=7640110), [All aircraft, 60 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01046210/cases.md) - [Not determined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000): Not determined › Not determined · Unknown/Not determined (probable cause); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA, 16 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md?model=7640110), [All aircraft, 2,247 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Loss of lift](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/500) (defining event); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/500/sequence.md?model=7640110), [All aircraft, 252 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/500/sequence.md) - [Autorotation: Ditching](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/441); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/441/sequence.md?model=7640110), [All aircraft, 186 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/441/sequence.md) ## Analysis The certificated flight instructor (CFI) and his passenger were flying about 2 miles offshore. The helicopter had just completed a turn at about 100 feet above the water when the low main rotor rpm horn sounded. When an adjustment of the throttle failed to remedy the situation, the CFI entered an autorotation. The tail of the helicopter stuck the water during the flare, which resulted in the helicopter entering an uncontrollable spin. The helicopter immediately sank and at the time of this writing, has not been located or recovered. The helicopter’s flight manual showed that at the time of the accident, the flight was being operated within a region of performance in the height-velocity diagram that the manufacturer recommended avoiding. A review of the helicopter’s maintenance records did not reveal any discrepancies with the helicopter prior to the accident flight. ## Factual narrative On March 28, 2010, about 1215 eastern daylight time, a Robinson R22 Beta helicopter, N72377, operated by Helicopter Academy, ditched in the ocean near Miami Beach, Florida, following a low main rotor RPM event. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot and passenger were not injured. The helicopter was not located and recovered. The flight originated from the North Perry Airport (HWO), Hollywood, Florida, about 1130. The pilot stated that they were taking photos of boats in an area about 2 miles from the shore of Government Cut. The pilot had just completed a 180 degree turn at about 100 feet above the water when the helicopter’s low main rotor RPM horn sounded. The pilot adjusted the throttle to compensate for the condition. The main rotor speed recovered for about 3 seconds before the condition reoccurred. The pilot entered an autorotation. During the flare, the tail end of the helicopter made contact with the water, causing the helicopter to spin uncontrollably to the right. Both occupants evacuated the helicopter moments before it sank into an area where the ocean floor depths are recorded to be between 150 and 250 feet deep. The passenger’s life vest operated; however, the pilot’s life vest did not inflate at the time, but did when tested later. The helicopter did not have a pyrotechnic signaling device onboard as per the responding Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, which is required for the type operation that was being conducted. The pilot recalled they were in the water about 10 minutes before a private boat rescued them. The helicopter’s flight manual, performance section, height-velocity diagram was reviewed by the FAA inspector. At the time of the accident, the helicopter was operating at 100 feet above ground level and 40 knots indicated airspeed. Based on the diagram, this combination placed the helicopter within a performance area that the manufacturer recommended avoiding. The pilot holds a commercial pilot certificate with a helicopter rating and a flight instructor certificate for helicopters. He obtained a FAA second-class medical certificate on February 2, 2010. At the time of the accident, the pilot reported he had accumulated 790 hours total flight time. The passenger holds a private pilot certificate with a helicopter rating. He obtained an FAA second-class medical certificate on June 15 2009, with no limitations. At the time of the accident the passenger reported he had accumulated 115 hours total flight time. The helicopter was a two-place, two-bladed single main rotor, single-engine helicopter, with a skid type landing gear. The helicopter was powered by a Lycoming, O-320-B2C, engine rated at 160 horsepower. The responding FAA inspector stated a review of the helicopter’s maintenance records did not reveal any discrepancies with the helicopter prior to the accident flight. The closest officialweather observation was at the Miami International Airport (MIA), Miami, Florida, 13.5 miles west of the accident site. The MIA 1153 METAR observed winds from 120 degrees at 13 knots; visibility, 10 statute miles; clouds broken at 1,900 feet above ground level (agl); overcast at 3,300 feet agl; temperature 26 degrees Celsius (C); dew point 21 degrees C; altimeter 30.01 inches of mercury. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N72377](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N72377-2014-11-19), registration cancelled 2014-11-19, S/N 1902, 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: 1902 - Airframe hours: 5485 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-B2C 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Helicopter Academy - Registered owner: N72377 LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, March 26, 2010 - Departed: HWO, Hollywood, FL - Destination: HWO, Hollywood, FL ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 32; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review August 31, 2009; seat: left; flight hours: 790 total, 785 in this make and model, 739 as pilot in command, 262 in the last 90 days, 72 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours - Other flight crew; age 25; injuries: none; private; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; seat: right; flight hours: 172 total, 159 in this make and model, 110 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 120° at 13 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 3,300 ft overcast - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 70 °F - Altimeter: 30.01 inHg - Observed at: MIA, 13 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 20100328031359A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20100328031359A), Mar 28, 2010: Robinson He R22 BETA, Miami Beach, FL, Substantial damage. 03/28- Initial report from comm center- E-5 c gauthier, USCG informed of an accident with a Robinson 22- ditched in 100 foot of water off 1/ 1/2 mile of… ## Docket (9 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 19, 2010, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=75591. 3.3 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 963 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40331464&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Other Pertinent Forms and Reports: Flight Crew Statements to the Federal Aviation Administration Inspector. (item 2, .PDF, 208 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40331469&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Other%20Pertinent%20Forms%20and%20Reports%3A%20Flight%20Crew%20Statements%20to%20the%20Federal%20Aviation%20Administration%20Inspector.-Redacted.PDF - Other Pertinent Forms and Reports: Excerpts From the Helicopter's Maintenance Records. (item 3, .PDF, 779 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40331472&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Other%20Pertinent%20Forms%20and%20Reports%3A%20Excerpts%20From%20the%20Helicopter%27s%20Maintenance%20Records.-Redacted.PDF - Weather Reports and Records (item 4, .PDF, 59 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40331473&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Reports%20and%20Records-Master.PDF - Other Pertinent Forms and Reports: Helicopter Accident/Incident Checklist Supplement. (item 5, .PDF, 318 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40331474&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Other%20Pertinent%20Forms%20and%20Reports%3A%20Helicopter%20%20Accident%2FIncident%20Checklist%20Supplement.-Redacted.PDF - Other Pertinent Forms and Reports: Flight Crew and HelicopterAcademy.com Agreement. (item 6, .PDF, 594 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40331475&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Other%20Pertinent%20Forms%20and%20Reports%3A%20Flight%20Crew%20and%20HelicopterAcademy.com%20Agreement.-Redacted.PDF - Miscellaneous: Federal Aviation Adminstration Carburetor Icing Information and Chart. (item 7, .PDF, 90 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40334547&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Miscellaneous%3A%20Federal%20Aviation%20Adminstration%20Carburetor%20Icing%20Information%20and%20Chart.-Master.PDF - Miscellaneous: Excerpts from the Helicopter's Pilot's Operating Handbook, Safety Notice Section. (item 8, .PDF, 228 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40334548&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Miscellaneous%3A%20Excerpts%20from%20the%20Helicopter%27s%20Pilot%27s%20Operating%20Handbook,%20Safety%20Notice%20Section.-Master.PDF - Release of Aircraft Wreckage, NTSB Form 6120.15 (item 9, .PDF, 61 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40331476&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Release%20of%20Aircraft%20Wreckage,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.15-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.