# NTSB ERA22LA431: Robinson Helicopter R-22 Beta, N622MP, Nashville, TN, September 29, 2022

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report
- Date: September 29, 2022, 09:15 local (14:15 UTC)
- Place: Nashville, TN · Near Taxiway Alpha at KJWN
- Coordinates: 36.183022, -86.886495 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.1830&lon=-86.8865&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: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish
- NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation
- Parties: FAA / FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 106021
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA22LA431
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/106021/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA22LA431

## Probable cause

A loss of tail rotor effectiveness while hovering in crosswind conditions resulting in the student pilot's loss of control of the helicopter, impact with terrain, and dynamic rollover.

## Findings

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

- [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA, 14 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=7640110), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md)
- [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Student/instructed 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)

## Sequence of events

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

- [Maneuvering-hover: Loss of tail rotor effectiveness](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/242); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/242/sequence.md?model=7640110), [All aircraft, 100 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/242/sequence.md)
- [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)
- [Maneuvering-hover: Dynamic rollover](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/231); 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 student pilot reported that while hovering, the helicopter encountered a gust of wind and began to yaw to the right. The student pilot was unable to correct for the unanticipated right yaw, resulting in the forward portion of the helicopter’s right skid impacting the ground, and a subsequent dynamic rollover. The rollover resulted in substantial damage to the main rotor blades, tail boom, tail rotor, and vertical stabilizer. The student pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N622MP](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N622MP), registered now, S/N 4016, built 2006 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ROBINSON HELICOPTER R-22 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: 4016
- Year built: 2006
- Airframe hours: 6102.9
- Engines: Lycoming O-360-J2A 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Rjh, LLC., doing business as Helistar Aviation
- Registered owner: Spitzer Helicopter LLC
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, September 7, 2022, 42.2 hours before
- Departed: JWN, Nashville, TN
- Airport: JWN, John C Tune, runway 2, 6,001 × 100 ft, asphalt
- Equipment: ADS-B

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review January 4, 2022; seat: right; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 722.1 total, 22.1 in this make and model, 550 as pilot in command, 29.1 in the last 90 days, 19.1 in the last 30 days, 2.7 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 60° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 45 °F
- Altimeter: 30.35 inHg
- Observed at: JWN
- METAR: KJWN 291350Z 06010KT 10SM CLR 14/07 A3035

## 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 20220929017889A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20220929017889A), Sep 29, 2022: Robinson R22, Nashville, TN, Destroyed. On 09/29/2022 at approximately 0915 local time, N622MP was hovering east of the active runway 20 at kjwn at approximately 10 feet AGL and lost control of the…

## Other investigations on N622MP (2)

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.

- [NTSB GAA18CA210](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA210), Apr 11, 2018: Robinson Helicopter R22 (N622MP), Franklin, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot receiving instruction’s abrupt cyclic control input during the touch-down autorotation.
- [NTSB GAA17CA514](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA514), Aug 29, 2017: Robinson Helicopter R22 (N622MP), Sacramento, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The student pilot’s failure to maintain yaw control and the flight instructor’s delayed remedial action.

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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