# NTSB GAA15CA224: Robinson Helicopter R22 Beta, N3103Q, Caldwell, ID, August 13, 2015

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: August 13, 2015, 16:35 local (22:35 UTC)
- Place: Caldwell, ID
- Coordinates: 43.641944, -116.635833 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.6419&lon=-116.6358&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Abrupt maneuver](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/270)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report December 3, 2015
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents
- Parties: FAA
- NTSB case key (mKey): 91794
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA15CA224
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/91794/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91794
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA15CA224

## Probable cause

The helicopter flight instructor's delayed remedial action during an autorotation resulting in a loss of control and impact with terrain.

## 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)
- [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: prop/rotor parameters](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062052): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA, 37 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062052/cases.md?model=7640110), [All aircraft, 182 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062052/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

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

- [Autorotation: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA, 17 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=7640110), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md)
- [Landing-flare/touchdown: Abrupt maneuver](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/270) (defining event); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/270/sequence.md?model=7640110), [All aircraft, 346 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/270/sequence.md)
- [Landing-flare/touchdown: 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)
- [Post-impact: Roll over](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/097); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA, 21 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/097/sequence.md?model=7640110), [All aircraft, 261 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/097/sequence.md)

## Analysis

According to the flight instructor, while performing a simulated, right turn, 180 degree autorotation the helicopter impacted the ground and rolled over. The flight instructor stated that at 200 feet AGL, the low rotor RPM horn sounded, and he and the student pilot "attempted a recovery." The flight instructor reported that after hearing the low rotor RPM horn, but prior to impact, "a loud thumping noise could be heard and a violent shake in the cyclic could be felt." He stated that he chose to level the helicopter before it impacted the terrain and rolled. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the main rotor system, fuselage and tail boom. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical failures or anomalies prior to flight that would have prevented normal operation.

## Factual narrative

According to the flight instructor, while performing a simulated, right turn, 180 degree autorotation the helicopter impacted the ground and rolled over. The flight instructor stated that at 200 feet AGL, the low rotor RPM horn sounded, and he and the student pilot "attempted a recovery." The flight instructor reported that after hearing the low rotor RPM horn, but prior to impact, "a loud thumping noise could be heard and a violent shake in the cyclic could be felt." He stated that he chose to level the helicopter before it impacted the terrain and rolled. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the main rotor system, fuselage and tail boom. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical failures or anomalies prior to flight that would have prevented normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3103Q](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3103Q-2018-06-08), registration cancelled 2018-06-08, S/N 4051, built 2006 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ROBINSON HELICOPTER R22 BETA (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: 4051
- Year built: 2006
- Airframe hours: 6601.7
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-J2A 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Silverhawk Aviation Academy LLC
- Registered owner: Silverhawk Aviation Academy LLC
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 14, 2015, 25 hours before
- Departed: EUL, Caldwell, ID
- Destination: EUL, Caldwell, ID
- Airport: EUL, Caldwell Industrial, runway 30, 5,500 × 100 ft, dirt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Flight instructor; age 32; injuries: minor; flight instructor, commercial; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review December 19, 2014; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 729 total, 448 in this make and model, 630 as pilot in command, 218 in the last 90 days, 73 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours
- Student pilot; age 29; injuries: minor; student; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; seat: right; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 64 total, 64 in this make and model, 2 as pilot in command, 40 in the last 90 days, 17 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 340° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 99 °F, dew point 57 °F
- Altimeter: 29.88 inHg
- Observed at: KEUL

## 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 20150813012189A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20150813012189A), Aug 13, 2015: Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA, Caldwell, ID, Destroyed. Student and instructor were practicing 180 autorotations. The density altitude was 1800 feet above field elevation with temperatures in the upper 90S. The…

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 23, 2015, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91794. 2.5 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 2.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40434145&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF
- Photo (Courtesy of FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 320 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40434146&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%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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