# NTSB FTW00LA014: Robinson R22 Beta, N2301C, Jonesboro, AR, October 21, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 21, 1999, 14:10 local (19:10 UTC) - Place: Jonesboro, AR - Coordinates: 35.819015, -90.680496 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.8190&lon=-90.6805&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 22, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 47630 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW00LA014 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/47630/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW00LA014 ## Probable cause The flight instructor's delay in taking remedial action to recover from a low rotor rpm situation. A factor was the student's failure to maintain adequate rotor rpm. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown - emergency procedure - simulated, pilot in command(cfi) - autorotation - initiated, dual student - rotor rpm - not maintained, dual student (contributing factor) - remedial action - delayed, pilot in command(cfi) (cause) - misc rotorcraft,main rotor/tail boom contact ## Analysis The helicopter-rated student performed a takeoff, and at 500 feet agl, the flight instructor 'initiated a throttle roll-off.' The student then entered an autorotation, during which time the instructor was 'riding the controls.' Approximately 250 feet agl, the low rotor horn sounded, and the low rotor light illuminated. The flight instructor reported that the student decreased the collective, 'but it was too small of an amount too late.' The flight instructor then initiated a go-around and 'released back pressure on the cyclic, decreased the collective, and rolled the throttle on, but the engine did not respond. The engine needle remained at idle.' The helicopter was descending through 75 feet agl when the flight instructor 'lowered the collective and initiated a hard flare.' The helicopter impacted the ground, and the main rotor blades contacted and severed the tail boom. The engine was test run and operated within the manufacturer's specifications. ## Factual narrative On October 21, 1999, at 1410 central daylight time, a Robinson R22 Beta helicopter, N2301C, was substantially damaged during a hard landing at the Jonesboro Municipal Airport, near Jonesboro, Arkansas. The helicopter was registered to Summit Properties LLC, of Bryant, Arkansas, and operated by Bonham Helicopters Inc., of Harrisburg, Arkansas. The flight instructor and the helicopter-rated student were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 instructional flight, and a flight plan was not filed. The local flight originated from the Jonesboro Municipal Airport, at 1310. According to the flight instructor and the student, after a one hour break from a previous flight, they initiated a second flight to practice additional maneuvers, including autorotations. About one hour into the second flight, the student performed a takeoff, and at 500 feet agl, the flight instructor "initiated a throttle roll-off." The student then entered an autorotation straight ahead, during which time the flight instructor was "riding the controls." The flight instructor stated that they planned on a power recovery. Approximately 250 feet agl, the low rotor horn sounded, and the low rotor light illuminated. The flight instructor reported that the student decreased the collective, but "it was too small of an amount too late." The flight instructor then initiated a go-around and "released back pressure on the cyclic, decreased the collective and rolled the throttle on, but the engine did not respond. The engine needle remained at idle." The helicopter was descending through 75 feet agl when the flight instructor "lowered the collective and initiated a hard flare." However, there "was not enough energy transferred to the main rotor blade to cushion the touchdown." The helicopter impacted the ground, and the main rotor blades contacted and severed the tail boom. The operator reported that the aft section of the tail boom and tail rotor drive shaft separated from the airframe. Additionally, the cabin doors separated from the airframe and the skids were spread. On November 17, 1999, the engine was placed in a test stand and operated at the Robinson Helicopter Company, Torrance, California, under the supervision of an FAA inspector. The engine was started and operated for a total of 41 minutes at various power settings, including maximum power (2700 rpm) and idle. The engine operated within the manufacturer's specifications. No fuel or oil leaks were noted. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2301C](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2301C-2002-06-17), registration cancelled 2002-06-17, S/N 1926, built 1991 (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 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 1926 - Airframe hours: 1128 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-B2C 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Tony Bonham Helicopters Inc. - Registered owner: Summit Properties, LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 26, 1999, 16 hours before - Departed: JBR - Airport: JBR, Jonesboro Municipal ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 39; airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 8,000 total, 4,000 in this make and model, 7,900 as pilot in command, 50 in the last 90 days, 40 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 210° at 13 knots - Visibility: 6 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 68 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg ## 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 19991021044199A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19991021044199A), Oct 21, 1999: Robsin R22BETA, Jonesboro, AR, No damage. (-23) At approx. 1410 local CST, N2301C, a Robinson R-22 helicopter crashed while practicing simulated engine out procedures to a touch down. The a/c departed… ## Other investigations on N2301C (1) 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 LAX92LA229](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX92LA229), Jun 2, 1992: Robinson R-22B (N2301C), Las Vegas, NV, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE PILOT'S ENCOUNTER WITH A SUDDEN AND STRONG TAIL WIND COMPONENT DURING A CRITICAL PHASE OF FLIGHT WHICH WAS BEYOND THE CAPABILITY OF THE HELICOPTER. A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT WAS THE CONFINED… 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.