# NTSB ERA17CA101: Robinson R22, N7685H, West Palm Beach, FL, February 6, 2017

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: February 6, 2017, 15:50 local (20:50 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: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Maneuvering-hover: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 22, 2017
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation
- Parties: FAA/FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 94689
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA17CA101
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/94689/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94689
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA17CA101

## Probable cause

The flight instructor’s failure to maintain helicopter control while demonstrating low rotor rpm operations from a hover.

## Findings

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

- [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Instructor/check pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA, 96 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7640110), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md)
- [Performance/control parameters](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA, 20 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md?model=7640110), [All aircraft, 1,269 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

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

- [Maneuvering-hover: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA, 67 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=7640110), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md)
- [Maneuvering-hover: 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

According to the flight instructor, he was conducting an instructional flight in the helicopter and demonstrating low-rotor rpm operations from a hover. The helicopter was at a 3-ft hover when he initiated the maneuver with the student pilot "on the flight controls" following the flight instructor's movements. As the throttle was reduced, the helicopter's nose began to rotate to the left. The flight instructor pushed the right antitorque pedal to counter the rotation, but the pedal initially felt like it was "blocked." The right skid contacted the taxiway, causing the helicopter to bounce and rotate to the right. The flight instructor applied full throttle and collective to attempt to gain altitude; however, the helicopter departed the taxiway, entered an adjacent grass area, and rolled over onto its left side. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the main rotor and the tailboom. Examination of the flight control system by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector did not reveal any anomalies. In addition, the flight instructor reported there was no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.

## Factual narrative

According to the flight instructor, he was conducting an instructional flight in the helicopter and demonstrating low rotor rpm operations from a hover. The helicopter was at a 3 ft hover when he initiated the maneuver, with the student pilot "on the flight controls" following the flight instructor's movements. As the throttle was reduced, the nose of the helicopter began to rotate to the left. The flight instructor pushed the right anti-torque pedal to counter the rotation but the pedal initially felt like it was "blocked." The right skid contacted the taxiway causing the helicopter to bounce and rotate to the right. The flight instructor applied full throttle and collective to attempt to gain altitude; however, the helicopter departed the taxiway, entered an adjacent grass area, and rolled over onto its left side. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the main rotor and the tail boom. Examination of the flight control system by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector did not reveal any anomalies. In addition, the flight instructor reported there was no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7685H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7685H-2018-12-04), registration cancelled 2018-12-04, S/N 3362, built 2002 (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: 3362
- Year built: 2002
- Airframe hours: 2593.8
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360 SERIES 124 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Cloud 9 Helicopters
- Registered owner: Higgins Leasing Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, December 16, 2016, 42 hours before
- Departed: F45, West Palm Beach, FL
- Destination: F45, West Palm Beach, FL
- Airport: F45, North Palm Beach, runway 26R, 2,150 × 35 ft, asphalt
- Equipment: None

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; injuries: none; flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review September 11, 2016; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 2,323 total, 653 in this make and model, 2,208 as pilot in command, 122 in the last 90 days, 50 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours
- Pilot; age 40; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review May 31, 2015; seat: right; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 426 total, 24 in this make and model, 333 as pilot in command, 24 in the last 90 days, 18 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 80° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 4,900 ft broken
- Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 63 °F
- Altimeter: 30.15 inHg
- Observed at: F45

## 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 20170206000879A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170206000879A), Feb 6, 2017: Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA, West Palm Beach, FL, Substantial damage. On February 6, 2017, at approximately 16:00 eastern standard time (EST), a Robinson Helicopter model 22 beta, registration N7685H, serial number 3362,…

## Docket (4 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 2, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94689. 1.8 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=40454716&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF
- FAA Inspector's Statement (item 2, .PDF, 121 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40454717&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%27s%20Statement-Master.PDF
- Student Pilot Statement (item 3, .PDF, 34 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40454718&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Student%20Pilot%20Statement-Master.PDF
- Photos (Courtesy of FAA) (item 4, .PDF, 4 photos, 354 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40454719&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photos%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.

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