# NTSB GAA16CA151: Robinson Helicopter R22, N9076U, Riverside, CA, March 17, 2016 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: March 17, 2016, 08:30 local (15:30 UTC) - Place: Riverside, CA - Coordinates: 33.951946, -117.444999 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.9519&lon=-117.4450&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 3, 2016 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 92853 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA16CA151 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/92853/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=92853 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA151 ## Probable cause The student pilot's incorrect action performance by not applying sufficient pressure to the right anti-torque pedal, resulting in an uncontrollable left yaw, and ground impact. ## 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, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md?model=7640102), [All aircraft, 1,386 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: yaw control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062024): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R22, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062024/cases.md?model=7640102), [All aircraft, 149 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062024/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) (defining event); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R22, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=7640102), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md) - [Landing: Abrupt maneuver](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/270); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R22, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/270/sequence.md?model=7640102), [All aircraft, 346 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/270/sequence.md) - [Landing: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R22, 13 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=7640102), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md) - [Landing: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R22, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=7640102), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md) - [Landing: 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 According to the student pilot, during his first solo flight, he aborted his first approach and landing because he was too steep and too fast. He reported that after terminating the second approach to a hover, he attempted to set the helicopter down on the runway. The student pilot reported that while established at a five foot hover, he lowered the collective with more force than normal and the helicopter touched down hard. He reported that he attempted to establish a hover after the hard touch down and quickly increased the collective without applying sufficient right anti-torque pedal. He recalled that a rapid right yaw ensued and the helicopter spun several revolutions before impacting the ground. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the frame and tail rotor drive shaft. The student pilot reported that there were no mechanical failures or anomalies with the helicopter prior to or during the flight that would have prevented normal flight operation. ## Factual narrative According to the student pilot, during his first solo flight, he aborted his first approach and landing because he was too steep and too fast. He reported that after terminating the second approach to a hover, he attempted to set the helicopter down on the runway. The student pilot reported that while established at a five foot hover, he lowered the collective with more force than normal and the helicopter touched down hard. He reported that he attempted to establish a hover after the hard touch down and quickly increased the collective without applying sufficient right anti-torque pedal. He recalled that a rapid right yaw ensued and the helicopter spun several revolutions before impacting the ground. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the frame and tail rotor drive shaft. The student pilot reported that there were no mechanical failures or anomalies with the helicopter prior to or during the flight that would have prevented normal flight operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9076U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9076U-2019-10-05), registration cancelled 2019-10-05, S/N 0261, built 1982 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: ROBINSON HELICOPTER COMPANY R22 (HP) - Registry model: [Robinson Helicopter R22](https://openairdocs.org/model/robinson-helicopter-r22) (registry code 7640102) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 0261 - Year built: 1982 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320-B2C 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: California Aviation Services Inc - Registered owner: California Aviation Services Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, February 26, 2016, 12,498 hours before - Departed: RAL, RIVERSIDE, CA - Destination: RAL, RIVERSIDE, CA - Airport: RAL, Riverside Muni, runway 16, 2,850 × 50 ft, asphalt - Equipment: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Student pilot; age 26; injuries: none; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 36 total, 36 in this make and model, 0.2 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 46 °F - Altimeter: 29.93 inHg - Observed at: KRIV, 10 nm away ## 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 20160317007549A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20160317007549A), Mar 17, 2016: Robinson Helicopter Company R22, Riverside, CA, Destroyed. This was the student pilot?s first solo which was supervised by his flight instructor. The student was making left traffic to the approach end of runway 16 at… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 2, 2016, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=92853. 1.2 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40439501&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Photo (Courtesy of FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 189 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40439502&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. --- 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.