# NTSB ERA11CA448: Robinson R22, N62JF, Titusville, FL, August 11, 2011

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: August 11, 2011, 08:30 local (12:30 UTC)
- Place: Titusville, FL
- Coordinates: 28.622499, -80.835281
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.6225&lon=-80.8353&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Approach: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 22, 2011
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation
- Parties: FAA/FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 81460
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA11CA448
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/81460/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=81460
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA11CA448

## Probable cause

The private pilot's incorrect manipulation of the engine mixture control which resulted in an inadvertent engine shutdown.

## Findings

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

- [Action: incorrect action selection](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041010): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Copilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041010/cases.md?model=7640110), [All aircraft, 397 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041010/cases.md)
- [Engine controls: mixture control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057602): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Incorrect 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)

## Sequence of events

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

- [Approach: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900) (defining event); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA, 24 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md?model=7640110), [All aircraft, 1,556 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md)
- [Approach: 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)
- [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 two certificated rotorcraft pilots were conducting a ferry flight. According to both pilots, the helicopter was on approach to land for a refueling stop when the airline transport pilot flying asked the private pilot to apply carburetor heat. The private pilot inadvertently pulled-out the engine mixture control with the mixture control guard, which resulted in an immediate total loss of engine power. The helicopter was at an altitude between 300 to 400 feet, when the airline transport pilot entered an autorotation, while the private pilot attempted to restart the engine. The engine did not restart before the helicopter struck trees, a fence, and then nosed over. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the airframe and both the main and tail rotor drive systems. Both pilots reported there were no mechanical malfunctions during the flight.

## Factual narrative

The two certificated rotorcraft pilots were conducting a ferry flight. According to both pilots, the helicopter was on approach to land for a refueling stop when the airline transport pilot flying asked the private pilot to apply carburetor heat. The private pilot inadvertently pulled-out the engine mixture control with the mixture control guard, which resulted in an immediate total loss of engine power. The helicopter was at an altitude between 300 to 400 feet, and the airline transport pilot entered an autorotation, while the private pilot attempted to restart the engine. The engine did not restart before the helicopter struck trees, a fence, and then nosed over. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the airframe and both the main and tail rotor drive systems. Both pilots reported there were no mechanical malfunctions during the flight. The private pilot reported 220 hours of total flight experience, which included about 54 hours in the same make and model as the accident helicopter.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N62JF](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N62JF), registered now, S/N 3922 (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 O-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-360-series) (registry code 41575, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 3922
- Airframe hours: 1061
- Engines: Lycoming O-360J2A 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Ferry, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: CRG, Jacksonville, FL
- Destination: X21, Titusville, FL
- Airport: X21, Arthur Dunn Air Park

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; injuries: none; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review July 15, 2011; seat: left; flight hours: 2,365 total, 1,177 in this make and model, 2,285 as pilot in command, 194 in the last 90 days, 58 in the last 30 days, 11 in the last 24 hours
- Co-pilot; age 29; injuries: none; private; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review December 23, 2010; seat: right; flight hours: 220 total, 53 in this make and model, 90 as pilot in command, 37 in the last 90 days, 25 in the last 30 days, 11 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 260° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 600 ft overcast
- Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 81 °F
- Altimeter: 29.89 inHg
- Observed at: TTS, 7 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 20110811017369A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110811017369A), Aug 11, 2011: Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA, Titusville, FL, Substantial damage. On August 11, 2011, at approximately 08:42 local time while on approach, altitude approximately 300' to 400' AGL. The co-pilot pulled the mixture and guard…

## Docket (4 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 7, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=81460. 1.7 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 435 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40353395&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF
- FAA Inspector Statement (item 2, .PDF, 101 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40353399&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%20Statement-Master.PDF
- Photograph # 1 – View of the helicopter as it came to rest. (Courtesy of FAA) (item 3, .PDF, 950 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40353396&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photograph%20%23%201%20%E2%80%93%20View%20of%20the%20helicopter%20as%20it%20came%20to%20rest.%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF
- Photograph # 2 – View of the helicopter interior panel. (Courtesy of FAA) (item 4, .PDF, 178 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40353397&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photograph%20%23%202%20%E2%80%93%20View%20of%20the%20helicopter%20interior%20panel.%20(Courtesy%20of%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.