# NTSB GAA15CA233: Robinson Helicopter R22, N5VH, Prescott, AZ, August 18, 2015 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 18, 2015, 16:55 local (23:55 UTC) - Place: Prescott, AZ - Coordinates: 34.65361, -112.419441 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.6536&lon=-112.4194&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Taxi: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 8, 2016 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA, Universal Helicopters - NTSB case key (mKey): 91828 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA15CA233 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/91828/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91828 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA15CA233 ## Probable cause The flight instructor's decision to turn the helicopter downwind during a hover taxi which resulted in an uncontrolled descent and impact with terrain. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Instructor/check pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R22, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=7640102), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/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, 18 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7640102), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Wind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034000): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R22, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034000/cases.md?model=7640102), [All aircraft, 110 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034000/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: descent/approach/glide path](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Attain/maintain not possible (probable cause); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R22, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md?model=7640102), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md) - [Temp/humidity/pressure: high density altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031020): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R22, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031020/cases.md?model=7640102), [All aircraft, 278 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Taxi: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R22, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=7640102), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Taxi: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R22, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7640102), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The flight instructor reported that while holding short to cross runway 21L in a skid-equipped helicopter, she was issued the clearance "cross 21L." She reported that she assumed that the clearance was for a direct route to her destination on the airport. After the helicopter began to hover taxi direct to the destination, she reported that the ground controller called her and stated "cross 21L at C4, D4 and follow company traffic." The flight instructor reported that to avoid a runway incursion, she "turned the helicopter into a tailwind and considering the high density altitude and strong winds the aircraft did not have enough power and it settled toward the ground, causing one bounce in the sod, the second bounce rolled the helicopter onto its left side." The flight instructor reported there were no pre-impact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the tail boom. ## Factual narrative The flight instructor reported that while holding short to cross runway 21L in a skid-equipped helicopter, she was issued the clearance "cross 21L." She reported that she assumed that the clearance was for a direct route to her destination on the airport. After the helicopter began to hover taxi direct to the destination, she reported that the ground controller called her and stated "cross 21L at C4, D4 and follow company traffic." The flight instructor reported that to avoid a runway incursion, she "turned the helicopter into a tailwind and considering the high density altitude and strong winds the aircraft did not have enough power and it settled toward the ground, causing one bounce in the sod, the second bounce rolled the helicopter onto its left side." The flight instructor reported there were no pre-impact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the tail boom. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5VH](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5VH-2018-03-29), registration cancelled 2018-03-29, S/N 3678, built 2004 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: ROBINSON HELICOPTER COMPANY R22 (MARINER) - Registry model: [Robinson Helicopter R22](https://openairdocs.org/model/robinson-helicopter-r22) (registry code 7640102) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-360-series) (registry code 41575, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 3678 - Year built: 2004 - Airframe hours: 6838 - Engines: LYCOMING O-360 J2A 145 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Universal Helicopters Inc. - Registered owner: Alba Aviation Services Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, August 13, 2015, 6 hours before - Departed: PRC, Prescott, AZ - Destination: PRC, Prescott, AZ - Airport: PRC, Ernest A Love Field, runway 21L, 7,619 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Flight instructor; age 23; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review March 16, 2015; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 1,353 total, 872.5 in this make and model, 1,279 as pilot in command, 143 in the last 90 days, 76 in the last 30 days, 4.5 in the last 24 hours - Student pilot; age 36; injuries: none; private; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; seat: right; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 171.6 total, 96.6 in this make and model, 81.5 as pilot in command, 80.5 in the last 90 days, 21.7 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 230° at 14 knots, gusting 22 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 46 °F - Altimeter: 30.01 inHg - Observed at: KPRC ## 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 20150818019959A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20150818019959A), Aug 18, 2015: Robinson Helicopter Company R22, Prescott, AZ, Substantial damage. The certified flight instructor had worked approximately an 11 hour duty day starting at 5:00 am local time before the accident flight, performing ground… ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 27, 2015, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91828. 9.2 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (Flight Instructor) (item 1, .PDF, 3.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40433218&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1%20(Flight%20Instructor)-Master.PDF - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (Student Pilot) (item 2, .PDF, 3.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40433225&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1%20(Student%20Pilot)-Master.PDF - Party Form (Universal Helicopter) (item 3, .PDF, 350 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40433231&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Party%20Form%20(Universal%20Helicopter)-Master.PDF - Accident Photos (item 4, .PDF, 1.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40433235&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photos-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.