# NTSB ERA12LA399: Robinson Helicopter R22 Mariner, N1089N, Oak Island, NC, June 14, 2012 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 14, 2012, 16:37 local (20:37 UTC) - Place: Oak Island, NC - Coordinates: 33.893333, -78.081665 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.8933&lon=-78.0817&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute-cruise: Simulated/training event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/600) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 10, 2013 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 83992 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA12LA399 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/83992/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=83992 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA12LA399 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to properly execute the helicopter practice autorotation recovery, which resulted in a collision with the water. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: prop/rotor parameters](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062052): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R22 MARINER, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062052/cases.md?model=7640115), [All aircraft, 182 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062052/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R22 MARINER, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7640115), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Action: incorrect action performance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R22 MARINER, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md?model=7640115), [All aircraft, 1,386 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md) - [Terrain: water](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Not specified; cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R22 MARINER, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021020/cases.md?model=7640115), [All aircraft, 97 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute-cruise: Simulated/training event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/600) (defining event); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R22 MARINER, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/600/sequence.md?model=7640115), [All aircraft, 173 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/600/sequence.md) - [Autorotation: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R22 MARINER, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=7640115), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md) - [Uncontrolled descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R22 MARINER, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7640115), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to the pilot, the helicopter was established in cruise flight at 600 feet mean sea level and an airspeed of 75 knots when she entered a practice autorotation over the ocean, with the intention of a power recovery. The pilot lowered the collective pitch to the full down position and rolled the throttle to the full off position. The pilot then raised the collective pitch and the main rotor rpm started to decrease and the low main rotor audio sounded. The pilot increased the throttle and increased collective, and the main rotor rpm continued to decrease. The helicopter continued to descend until it impacted the ocean and rolled over inverted. The pilot and pilot-rated passenger stated there were no mechanical problems with the helicopter. ## Factual narrative On June 14, 2012, at 1637 eastern daylight time, a Robinson R22 Mariner, N1089N, registered to Watercraft Photo Helicopter LLC, collided with the Atlantic Ocean about 10 yards off shore while practicing a simulated autorotation in the vicinity of Oak Island, North Carolina. The helicopter sustained substantial damage. Visual meteorological condition prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The helicopter was operating as a 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The private pilot and commercial pilot passenger reported no injuries. The flight originated from Wilmington, North Carolina at 1630. The pilot stated she was in cruise flight at 600 feet mean sea level at 75 knots, when she entered an autorotation over the ocean, with an intention of a power recovery. She lowered the collective pitch to the full down position and rolled the throttle to the full off position. She then raised the collective pitch. The main rotor rpm started to decrease and the low main rotor audio sounded. She rolled on the throttle and increased collective and the main rotor rpm continued to decrease. The helicopter continued to descend until it impacted the ocean and rolled over inverted. The pilot rated passenger stated when the pilot informed him that she wanted to do an autorotation, replied that he did not feel comfortable with because he did not have that many hours in the left seat. In addition, he was not sure if they could do an autorotation without an instructor pilot on board the helicopter. When asked if there was anything mechanically wrong with the helicopter, before the pilot initiated the autorotation, the passenger stated no, "It was an improper use of flight controls." Examination of the helicopter revealed one main rotor blade was damaged. The cabin floor, sidewall structure, and center console had separated from the main structure just forward of the forward cabin seats. The bottom of the fuselage was buckled. The left rear skid mount was separated and the skid assembly was displaced forward. The tailboom assembly was buckled on the lower left side at its attachment point. There was evidence of a main rotor blade strike on the tailboom assembly. The R22 Maneuver Guide, STRAIGHT-IN AUTOROTATION WITH POWER RECOVERY states, " 1. The Entry - From level flight at 70 to 75 kts, 500 to 700 feet AGL, and headed into the wind, smoothly, but firmly, lower the collective full down without reducing the throttle. Coordinate the collective movement with right pedal; for trim and aft cyclic to maintain a 75 kt attitude....2. The Glide - After descent has been established, slowly reduce the airspeed to 60 to 70 kts and maintain this attitude throughout the glide....NOTE As the aircraft descends through 100 feet AGL, make an immediate power recovery if the following conditions do not exists: 1. Rotor rpm in the green. 2. Airspeed 60 to 70 kts. 3. Rate of descent less than 1500 feet. 3. The Flare - At approximately 40 feet AGL, begin the flare with aftcyclic to reduce forward airspeed and decrease the rate of descent....4. The Power Recovery - At approximately 8 to 10 feet skid height, begin to level the helicopter with forward cyclic." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1089N](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1089N-2018-10-22), registration cancelled 2018-10-22, S/N 1089M, built 1989 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: ROBINSON HELICOPTER COMPANY R22 MARINER - Registry model: [Robinson Helicopter R22 MARINER](https://openairdocs.org/model/robinson-helicopter-r22-mariner) (registry code 7640115) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 1089M - Engines: LYCOMING O-320 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Watercraft Photo Helicopter LLC - Registered owner: Watercraft Photo Helicopter LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, June 6, 2012, 6 hours before - Departed: ILM, Wilmington, NC - Destination: MYR, Myrtle Beach, SC ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 26; injuries: none; private; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review February 11, 2012; seat: right; flight hours: 225 total, 222 in this make and model, 181 as pilot in command, 7 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dawn - Wind: 10° at 10 knots, gusting 16 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 64 °F - Altimeter: 30.04 inHg - Observed at: SUT, 1 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 20120614021799A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120614021799A), Jun 14, 2012: Robinson Helicopter Company R22 MARINER, Oak Island, NC, Destroyed. Atlanta control center reported a helicopter crashing into the ocean about .3 miles off of the coast of Oak Island, NC. It was reported that there were minor… ## Docket (12 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on February 13, 2013, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=83992. 15.8 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40370489&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Supplement E (item 2, .PDF, 171 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40370490&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Supplement%20E-Redacted.PDF - Statement William Mistrot By Tim Monville (item 3, .PDF, 57 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40370541&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Statement%20William%20Mistrot%20By%20Tim%20Monville-Master.PDF - CFI Statement concerning Pilot and Pilot Rated Passenger (item 4, .PDF, 121 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40370733&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=CFI%20Statement%20concerning%20Pilot%20and%20Pilot%20Rated%20Passenger-Redacted.PDF - EMail CFI Concerning Pilot and Passenger Start and Accident Hobbs Time (item 5, .PDF, 112 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40372532&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=EMail%20CFI%20Concerning%20Pilot%20and%20Passenger%20Start%20and%20Accident%20Hobbs%20Time-Redacted.PDF - FAA Inspector Statement (item 6, .PDF, 151 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40372493&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%20Statement-Master.PDF - R22 Straight In Auto with Power Recovery Procedure (item 7, .PDF, 77 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40370732&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=R22%20Straight%20In%20Auto%20with%20Power%20Recovery%20Procedure-Master.PDF - Staement Director of Maintenance and Extract Maintenance Records (item 8, .PDF, 2.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40370734&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Staement%20Director%20of%20Maintenance%20and%20Extract%20Maintenance%20Records-Redacted.PDF - Rental Agreement Mistrot (item 9, .PDF, 2.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40370736&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Rental%20Agreement%20Mistrot-Redacted.PDF - Rental Agreement Kajimoto (item 10, .PDF, 2.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40370832&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Rental%20Agreement%20Kajimoto-Redacted.PDF - Photo 1- Left side view of helicopter. Photo FAA (item 11, .PDF, 3.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40370543&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201-%20Left%20side%20view%20of%20helicopter.%20Photo%20FAA-Master.PDF - Photo 2- View of hour meter. Photo FAA (item 12, .PDF, 3.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40370544&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202-%20View%20of%20hour%20meter.%20Photo%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.