# NTSB GAA15CA200: Robinson Helicopter R-22, N520NS, Corona, CA, July 23, 2015 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 23, 2015, 13:30 local (20:30 UTC) - Place: Corona, CA - Coordinates: 33.897499, -117.599166 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.8975&lon=-117.5992&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 30, 2015 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: Riverside FSDO (FAA) - NTSB case key (mKey): 91638 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA15CA200 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/91638/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91638 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA15CA200 ## Probable cause The flight instructor's delayed remedial action to arrest the descent rate, which resulted in a running landing, the left skid catching rough terrain, and the main rotor blades impacting the ground. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Action: delayed action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Instructor/check pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA, 35 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md?model=7640110), [All aircraft, 894 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: descent rate](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062037): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062037/cases.md?model=7640110), [All aircraft, 242 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062037/cases.md) - [Terrain: rough terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021015): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on equipment; cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021015/cases.md?model=7640110), [All aircraft, 442 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021015/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=7640110), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md) - [Landing: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA, 13 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=7640110), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing: 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 During a local instructional flight, the student pilot was at the flight controls during the second landing of the flight. The flight instructor reported that he began correcting the yaw rate for the student pilot in the landing flare. As the helicopter entered ground effect, the flight instructor reported that he was able to align the skids with the direction of travel, but they touched down with considerable forward momentum. During the running landing, the left skid caught rough terrain and rolled the helicopter to left. The main rotor blades impacted the terrain and stopped the helicopter from rolling over. The helicopter's pitch control linkages were substantially damaged. The flight instructor stated that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative During a local instructional flight, the student pilot was at the flight controls during the second landing of the flight. The flight instructor reported that he began correcting the yaw rate for the student pilot in the landing flare. As the helicopter entered ground effect, the flight instructor reported that he was able to align the skids with the direction of travel, but they touched down with considerable forward momentum. During the running landing, the left skid caught rough terrain and rolled the helicopter to left. The main rotor blades impacted the terrain and stopped the helicopter from rolling over. The helicopter's pitch control linkages were substantially damaged. The flight instructor stated that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N520NS](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N520NS-2018-02-05), registration cancelled 2018-02-05, S/N 4497, built 2011 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: ROBINSON HELICOPTER R-22 - 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: 4497 - Year built: 2011 - Airframe hours: 2873.44 - Engines: LYCOMING O-360-J2A 145 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: M.I. Air Corportation - Registered owner: Hanseo USA LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 23, 2015 - Departed: AJO, Corona, CA - Destination: AJO, Corona, CA - Airport: AJO, Corona Muni, runway 25, 3,200 × 60 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Flight instructor; age 41; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 731 total, 704 in this make and model, 658 as pilot in command, 91 in the last 90 days, 91 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours - Student pilot; age 23; injuries: none; student; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; seat: right; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 5 total, 5 in this make and model, 5 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 280° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 86 °F, dew point 63 °F - Altimeter: 29.95 inHg - Observed at: KAJO ## 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 20150723023569A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20150723023569A), Jul 23, 2015: Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA, Corona, CA, Substantial damage. N520NS, R22, was on an instructional flight when it landed hard at Corona airport (kajo) and was substantially damaged. Two on board; CFI and student pilot.… ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 11, 2015, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91638. 4.0 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40431696&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Record of Conversation (Pilot in Command) (item 2, .PDF, 70 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40431697&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20(Pilot%20in%20Command)-Master.PDF - Photo 1 – Overview of Helicopter (Courtesy of FAA) (item 3, .PDF, 163 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40431698&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20%E2%80%93%20Overview%20of%20Helicopter%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)%0D%0A-Master.PDF - Photo 2 – Aft Section of Helicopter (Courtesy of FAA) (item 4, .PDF, 1.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40431699&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%20%E2%80%93%20Aft%20Section%20of%20Helicopter%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. --- 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.