# NTSB GAA16CA213: Robinson Helicopter R22, N227SH, Troutdale, OR, May 4, 2016 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 3, 2016, 17:20 local (May 4, 2016, 00:20 UTC) - Place: Troutdale, OR - Coordinates: 45.549999, -122.400276 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.5500&lon=-122.4003&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering-hover: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report June 15, 2016 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 93100 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA16CA213 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/93100/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93100 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA213 ## Probable cause The flight instructor's failure to monitor outside the helicopter during hover flight, which resulted in a collision with terrain and rollover. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Attention/monitoring: task monitoring/vigilance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021520): Personnel issues › Psychological · Instructor/check pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021520/cases.md?model=7640110), [All aircraft, 330 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021520/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA, 25 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=7640110), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering-hover: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220) (defining event); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA, 12 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md?model=7640110), [All aircraft, 780 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md) - [Maneuvering-hover: 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 The flight instructor reported that he was practicing hover flight in a helicopter over soft grass at a height of 5 to 7 feet above the ground with a student pilot on his second training flight. The flight instructor further reported that he was controlling the collective and anti-torque pedals, and the student pilot was controlling the cyclic control. During the hover, the flight instructor reported that he became fixated on the manifold pressure gauge and did not notice that the helicopter was moving forward and descending. Subsequently, the helicopter's right skid impacted the ground and rolled over. The main rotor drive shaft and tailboom were substantially damaged. The flight instructor did not report any mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The flight instructor reported that he was practicing hover flight in a helicopter over soft grass at a height of 5 to 7 feet above the ground with a student pilot on his second training flight. The flight instructor further reported that he was controlling the collective and anti-torque pedals, and the student pilot was controlling the cyclic control. During the hover, the flight instructor reported that he became fixated on the manifold pressure gauge and did not notice that the helicopter was moving forward and descending. Subsequently, the helicopter's right skid impacted the ground and rolled over. The main rotor drive shaft and tailboom were substantially damaged. The flight instructor did not report any mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N227SH](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N227SH-2017-03-28), registration cancelled 2017-03-28, S/N 4009, built 2006 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: ROBINSON HELICOPTER R22 (BETA) - Registry model: [Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA](https://openairdocs.org/model/robinson-helicopter-r22-beta) (registry code 7640110) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-360-series) (registry code 41575, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 4009 - Year built: 2006 - Airframe hours: 7792.7 - Engines: LYCOMING O-360-J2A 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Hillsboro Aero Academy LLC. - Registered owner: Hillsboro Aero Academy LLC. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, April 23, 2016 - Departed: TTD, Troutdale, OR - Destination: TTD, Troutdale, OR - Airport: TTD, Portland-Troutdale - Equipment: Satellite tracking device ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Flight instructor; age 24; injuries: minor; flight instructor, commercial; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 230 total, 203 in this make and model, 195 as pilot in command, 28 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days - Student pilot; age 25; injuries: minor; student; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; seat: right; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 2 total, 2 in this make and model, 2 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 54 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: KTTD ## 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 20160503007129A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20160503007129A), May 3, 2016: Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA, Troutdale, OR, Substantial damage. While hovering over grass on the nw end of Troutdale airport aircraft drifted right and settled. The right front skid to hit the ground causing dynamic roll… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 2, 2016, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93100. 2.4 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=40440775&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Record of Conversation (Flight Instructor) (item 2, .PDF, 63 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40440776&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20(Flight%20Instructor)-Master.PDF - Accident Photos (Courtesy of FAA) (item 3, .PDF, 3 photos, 450 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40440777&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photos%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.