# NTSB ERA24LA203: Robinson Helicopter R22 Beta, N7535Z, Louisburg, NC, April 30, 2024 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: April 29, 2024, 20:15 local (Apr 30, 2024, 00:15 UTC) - Place: Louisburg, NC - Coordinates: 36, -78 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.0000&lon=-78.0000&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-VFR pattern downwind: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - 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): 194192 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA24LA203 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/194192/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=194192 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24LA203 ## Probable cause The pilot under instruction’s inadvertent use of the mixture control, which resulted in a total loss of engine power. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Action: incorrect action performance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Student/instructed pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA, 18 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md?model=7640110), [All aircraft, 1,386 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md) - [Engine fuel and control: fuel control/carburetor](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057322): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057322/cases.md?model=7640110), [All aircraft, 195 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057322/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Autorotation: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA, 54 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=7640110), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md) - [Approach-VFR pattern downwind: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) (defining event); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA, 18 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=7640110), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) ## Analysis The flight instructor and the student pilot of the helicopter were practicing takeoffs and landings in the airport traffic pattern. During the downwind leg of the second pattern, while the flight instructor was performing pre-landing checks, the student pilot asked the flight instructor if he could activate the carburetor heat, to which the instructor replied in the affirmative. Immediately after, the engine lost power completely and the low rotor rpm warning system activated. The flight instructor and student pilot then realized that the student had inadvertently manipulated the mixture control. The flight instructor took then control of the helicopter, entered an autorotation, and aimed for an open field. During the landing, the main rotor blade struck the tailboom, severing it from the helicopter. While securing the helicopter, the instructor confirmed that the mixture control was pulled out, with the plastic guard around its base. The flight instructor reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7535Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7535Z-2025-04-17), registration cancelled 2025-04-17, S/N 3477, built 2003 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: ROBINSON HELICOPTER 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: 3477 - Year built: 2003 - Airframe hours: 5859 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-J2A 145 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 1, 2024, 54 hours before - Departed: LHZ, Louisburg, NC - Destination: Same as departure - Airport: LHZ, Triangle North Executive, runway 23, 5,500 × 100 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Electronic flight bag or handheld device, ADS-B ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Flight instructor; age 51; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 1,352 total, 515 in this make and model, 1,303 as pilot in command, 237 in the last 90 days, 86 in the last 30 days - Student pilot; injuries: none; student; seat: right; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 1 total, 1 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 61 °F - Altimeter: 30.04 inHg - Observed at: RWI, 10 nm away - METAR: METAR KRWI 300053Z AUTO 17003KT 10SM CLR 22/16 A3004 RMK AO2 SLP172 T02170161 ## Other investigations on N7535Z (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 MIA07CA079](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA07CA079), Apr 27, 2007: Robinson R-22 Beta II (N7535Z), West Palm Beach, FL, substantial damage. Probable cause: The student pilot's inadvertent shutting off of the mixture control while performing the prelanding checks that resulted loss of engine power and a roll over during the subsequent forced landing. - [NTSB LAX05CA078](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX05CA078), Jan 28, 2005: Robinson R22 (N7535Z), Chandler, AZ, substantial damage. Probable cause: the certified flight instructor's inadequate use of the antitorque control pedals while adding throttle, which led to a loss of directional control. ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 30, 2024, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=194192. 9.2 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 8.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17440043&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120%20LA203_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Student pilot statement (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 62 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17435902&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=SP%20email%20LA203-Rel.pdf - FAA inspector's statement (item 3, PDF, 1 page, 63 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17435688&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=MOR%20TM%20LA203-Rel.pdf - Investigative photos (item 4, PDF, 2 pages, 859 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17435388&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=LA203%20investigative%20Photos-Rel.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.