# NTSB LAX00LA262: Robinson R-22 Beta, N169CW, Lake Piru, CA, July 14, 2000 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 14, 2000, 09:45 local (16:45 UTC) - Place: Lake Piru, CA - Coordinates: 34.190425, -118.489753 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.1904&lon=-118.4898&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 1, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 49710 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX00LA262 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/49710/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX00LA262 ## Probable cause The improper use of the cyclic control by the pilot under instruction, and the flight instructor's lack of remedial action. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown - cyclic - improper use of, dual student (cause) - remedial action - not identified, pilot in command(cfi) (cause) ## Analysis The flight instructor and the commercial pilot were practicing autorotations in preparation for a flight instructor check ride by the commercial pilot. The instructor said they were practicing full touchdown autorotations and on the first attempt, the commercial pilot had placed the cyclic too far forward. On the second attempt, the commercial pilot placed the cyclic too far back causing the main rotor blade to come into contact with the tailboom assembly. ## Factual narrative On July 14, 2000, at 0945 hours Pacific daylight time, a Robinson R-22 Beta, N169CW, landed hard and the main rotor severed the tail boom during an autorotation to the ground near Lake Piru, California. The flight instructor and the commercial pilot were not injured. The helicopter sustained substantial damage. The purpose of the instructional flight was a preparation for a flight instructor check ride. The helicopter, operated by Group Three Aviation, was being flown under 14 CFR Part 91 when the accident occurred. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed for the local area flight. The flight originated at 0810. According to the flight instructor, they were practicing full touchdown autorotations and had completed one prior to this attempt. The flight instructor stated that in the prior autorotation the student had placed the cyclic too far forward, and during this attempt the cyclic was moved too far back, and the main rotor came into contact with the tailboom assembly. According to the operator, upon ground contact, the tail boom leveled resulting in tail boom contact with the main rotor in the plain of rotation. The tail boom was severed upon impact with the main rotor. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N169CW](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N169CW-2017-08-07), registration cancelled 2017-08-07, S/N 3002, built 1999 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Robinson R-22 BETA - Registry model: [Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA](https://openairdocs.org/model/robinson-helicopter-r22-beta) (registry code 7640110) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 3002 - Airframe hours: 720 - Engines: Lycoming O-360 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Group Three Aviation - Registered owner: Copterworks West - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, July 1, 2000, 20 hours before - Departed: KVNY, VAN NUYS, CA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 36; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 4,750 total, 3,148 in this make and model, 4,700 as pilot in command, 260 in the last 90 days, 80 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 140° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 15,000 ft broken - Temperature: 171 °F, dew point 126 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: VNY, 20 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 20000714005639A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20000714005639A), Jul 14, 2000: Robsin R22BETA, Lake Piru, CA, Substantial damage. (-23) During the flare and level-off while practicing full touchdown autorotations the main rotor severed the tailboom. (.4) on July 14, 2000, at 0945 hours… ## Other investigations on N169CW (1) 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 ANC11LA099](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC11LA099), Aug 30, 2011: Robinson Helicopter R22 Beta (N169CW), Unalaska, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: A loss of engine power in cruise flight for undetermined reasons. 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.