# NTSB GAA17CA514: Robinson Helicopter R22, N622MP, Sacramento, CA, August 29, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 29, 2017, 13:30 local (20:30 UTC) - Place: Sacramento, CA - Coordinates: 38.5125, -121.496391 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.5125&lon=-121.4964&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 November 27, 2017 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 95922 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA17CA514 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/95922/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95922 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA514 ## Probable cause The student pilot’s failure to maintain yaw control and the flight instructor’s delayed remedial action. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [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 BETA, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062024/cases.md?model=7640110), [All aircraft, 149 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062024/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Student/instructed 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) - [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) ## 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 BETA, 67 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=7640110), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Taxi: Abrupt maneuver](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/270); 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) - [Taxi: 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) - [Taxi: 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 helicopter flight instructor reported that the student was practicing quick-stops on the taxiway. The student was hovering with a tailwind and began to accelerate when the helicopter started a "fast yaw to the right." He added that they stopped the acceleration, checked the engine gauges, and then accelerated again. As the helicopter was going through effective translational lift, it spun to the right. The flight instructor took the flight controls, noticed the rpm was high, and reduced the throttle. The helicopter impacted the ground backward and slid before coming to rest. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the vertical stabilizer. The flight instructor reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation. A review of recorded data from the automated weather observation station located on the airport reported that, about 37 minutes before the accident, the wind was from 190° at 7 knots. The helicopter was taxiing to the north. ## Factual narrative The helicopter flight instructor reported that the student was practicing quick-stops on the taxiway. The student was hovering with a tailwind and began to accelerate when the helicopter started a "fast yaw to the right". He added that they stopped the acceleration, checked the engine gauges, and then accelerated again. As the helicopter was going through effective translational lift (ETL), it spun to the right. The flight instructor took the flight controls, noticed the rpm was high, and reduced the throttle. The helicopter impacted the ground backwards and slid before coming to rest. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the vertical stabilizer. The flight instructor reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation. A review of recorded data from the automated weather observation station located on the airport reported that, about 37 minutes before the accident, the wind was from 190° at 7 knots. The helicopter was taxiing to the north. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N622MP](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N622MP), registered now, S/N 4016, 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-J2A](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-360-j2a) (registry code 42314, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 4016 - Year built: 2006 - Airframe hours: 273.6 - Engines: LYCOMING O-360-J2A 145 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Capitol Helicopters - Registered owner: Spitzer Helicopter LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, June 15, 2017 - Departed: SAC, Sacramento, CA - Destination: SAC, Sacramento, CA - Airport: SAC, Sacramento Executive - Equipment: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Flight instructor; age 29; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review October 17, 2016; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 660 total, 489 in this make and model, 627 as pilot in command, 92 in the last 90 days, 33 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours - Student pilot; age 32; injuries: none; student; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; seat: right; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 18 total, 18 in this make and model, 18 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 190° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 61 °F - Altimeter: 29.81 inHg - Observed at: KSAC ## 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 20170829011719A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170829011719A), Aug 29, 2017: Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA, Sacramento, CA, Substantial damage. On 29 August 2017 at approximately 1245 hours pacific daylight time, N622MP, a Robinson R-22 aircraft , conducting training on at Sacramento executive airport,… ## Other investigations on N622MP (2) 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. - [NTSB ERA22LA431](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA22LA431), Sep 29, 2022: Robinson Helicopter R-22 Beta (N622MP), Nashville, TN, substantial damage. Probable cause: A loss of tail rotor effectiveness while hovering in crosswind conditions resulting in the student pilot's loss of control of the helicopter, impact with terrain, and dynamic rollover. - [NTSB GAA18CA210](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA210), Apr 11, 2018: Robinson Helicopter R22 (N622MP), Franklin, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot receiving instruction’s abrupt cyclic control input during the touch-down autorotation. ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 31, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95922. 956 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 845 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40457529&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 111 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40457530&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photo-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.