# NTSB GAA18CA210: Robinson Helicopter R22, N622MP, Franklin, CA, April 11, 2018 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: April 10, 2018, 17:10 local (Apr 11, 2018, 00:10 UTC) - Place: Franklin, CA - Coordinates: 38.308612, -121.428337 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.3086&lon=-121.4283&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 5, 2018 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 97024 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA18CA210 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/97024/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=97024 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA210 ## Probable cause The pilot receiving instruction’s abrupt cyclic control input during the touch-down autorotation. ## 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) - [Flight control system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022700): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022700/cases.md?model=7640110), [All aircraft, 65 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022700/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) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA, 24 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md?model=7640110), [All aircraft, 1,556 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md) - [Landing: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA, 13 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=7640110), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) ## Analysis The flight instructor in the helicopter reported that, while demonstrating a touchdown autorotation to the pilot receiving instruction, the helicopter landed in a "normal run-on landing configuration." He added that the pilot receiving instruction applied aft cyclic about 15 ft into the forward ground run. The flight instructor moved the cyclic into the neutral position and lowered the collective as quickly as possible to slow the groundspeed. The helicopter "jumped" up and yawed to the left and spun about 150° before coming to rest. The flight instructor felt abnormal vibration in the cyclic and collective. He opened the door to inspect the helicopter and saw that the main rotor had struck the tailboom. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the tailboom. The flight instructor reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation. Federal Aviation Administration's Helicopter Flying Handbook, FAA-H-8083-21A, contains a section titled "Autorotation " which states: After the helicopter has come to a complete stop after touchdown, lower the collective pitch to the full-down position. Do not try to stop the forward ground run with aft cyclic, as the main rotor blades can strike the tail boom. Rather, by lowering the collective slightly during the ground run, more weight is placed on the undercarriage, slowing the helicopter. ## Factual narrative The flight instructor in the helicopter reported that, while demonstrating a touchdown autorotation to the pilot receiving instruction, the helicopter landed in a "normal run-on landing configuration." He added that the pilot receiving instruction applied aft cyclic about 15 ft into the forward ground run. The flight instructor moved the cyclic into the neutral position and lowered the collective as quickly as possible, to slow the ground speed. The helicopter "jumped" up and yawed to the left and spun the helicopter about 150° before coming to rest. The flight instructor felt abnormal vibration in the cyclic and collective. He opened the door to inspect the helicopter and saw that the main rotor had struck the tailboom. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the tailboom. The flight instructor reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation. The automated weather observation station located 12 miles north of the accident airport reported that, about 17 minutes before the accident, the wind was from 220° at 7 knots. The helicopter landed on runway 18. Federal Aviation Administration's Helicopter Flying Handbook, FAA-H-8083-21A, contains a section titled "Autorotation " which states: After the helicopter has come to a complete stop after touchdown, lower the collective pitch to the full-down position. Do not try to stop the forward ground run with aft cyclic, as the main rotor blades can strike the tail boom. Rather, by lowering the collective slightly during the ground run, more weight is placed on the undercarriage, slowing the helicopter. ## 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: 4747 - 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, March 29, 2018 - Departed: F72, Franklin, CA - Destination: F72, Franklin, CA - Airport: F72, Franklin Field, runway 18, 3,123 × 60 ft, asphalt - Equipment: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Flight instructor; age 34; injuries: none; airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter, airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review December 1, 2017; seat: right; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 2,060 total, 830 in this make and model, 1,970 as pilot in command, 146 in the last 90 days, 27 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours - Pilot; age 30; injuries: none; commercial; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review February 14, 2018; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 273 total, 155 in this make and model, 176 as pilot in command, 37 in the last 90 days, 13 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 220° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft broken - Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 57 °F - Altimeter: 30.02 inHg - Observed at: KSAC, 12 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 20180410024749A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20180410024749A), Apr 10, 2018: Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA, Franklin, CA, Substantial damage. On 04/10/2018 at approximately 1710 hours, aircraft N622 mp, a Robinson R-22 helicopter, departed sacramento executive airport (ksac) enroute to Franklin… ## 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 GAA17CA514](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA514), Aug 29, 2017: Robinson Helicopter R22 (N622MP), Sacramento, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The student pilot’s failure to maintain yaw control and the flight instructor’s delayed remedial action. ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 12, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=97024. 3.6 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40463888&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Pilot's Statement (item 2, .PDF, 68 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40463890&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%27s%20Statement-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (item 3, .PDF, 142 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40463891&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.