# NTSB LAX02LA196: Robinson R-22 Beta, N7041B, North Las Vegas, NV, June 14, 2002 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 14, 2002, 09:00 local (16:00 UTC) - Place: North Las Vegas, NV - Coordinates: 36.212501, -115.196113 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.2125&lon=-115.1961&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 29, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 54956 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX02LA196 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/54956/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=54956 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX02LA196 ## Probable cause the student pilot's improper liftoff into tailwind conditions, improper use of the collective, and failure to relinquish the flight controls to the CFI, resulting in the helicopter colliding with terrain. Also causal was the CFI's inadequate supervision and delayed remedial action. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Roll over, takeoff - weather condition - tailwind - collective - improper use of, dual student (cause) - terrain condition - rough/uneven - relinquishing of control - not performed, dual student (cause) - supervision - inadequate, pilot in command(cfi) (cause) - remedial action - delayed, pilot in command(cfi) (cause) ## Analysis The helicopter collided with the ground while attempting a downwind takeoff from a remote practice area. During takeoff, the student pilot turned the helicopter downwind. The CFI took the controls and maneuvered the helicopter back into the wind. The student failed to relinquish the controls and began raising the collective. The certified flight instructor (CFI) overpowered the student and lowered the collective. The student lifted the collective again, and the helicopter became airborne. After repeating this sequence, the CFI forced the collective down and held it in the lowered position. While touching down, the helicopter slowly began to move backwards and the aft portion of the right skid dug into the rough terrain. The helicopter rolled on its right side. The CFI did not report any mechanical problems with the helicopter prior to the accident. ## Factual narrative On June 14, 2002, about 0900 Pacific daylight time, a Robinson R22 Beta, N7041B, collided with the ground, while attempting a downwind takeoff from a remote practice site near the North Las Vegas Airport (VGT), North Las Vegas, Nevada. Mander Associated LLC was operating the helicopter under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The certified flight instructor (CFI) and student pilot were not injured; the helicopter sustained substantial damage. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan had not been filed. The local instructional flight originated VGT about 0830. In a written statement, the CFI reported that, after several successful practice takeoffs and landings, the student pilot was attempting to takeoff in the practice area. During takeoff, the student turned the helicopter downwind. The CFI took the controls and maneuvered the helicopter back into the wind. The student failed to relinquish the controls and began raising the collective. The CFI overpowered the student, and lowered the collective. The helicopter touched down. The student lifted the collective again, and the helicopter became airborne. After repeating this sequence, the CFI forced the collective down and held it in the lowered position. The helicopter contacted the ground and moved sideways, bouncing to a stop. It slowly began to move backwards, and the aft portion of the right skid dug into the rough terrain. The helicopter rolled on its right side. The CFI recalled the duration of the accident was about 3 to 5 seconds. He did not report any mechanical problems with the helicopter prior to the accident. The Robinson Pilot's Operating Handbook (POH) for the R22, Section 10- Safety Tips, Revision 10i, states that making a downwind takeoff could result in a loss of transitional lift and cause the helicopter to settle into ground obstacles. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7041B](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7041B-2013-06-27), registration cancelled 2013-06-27, S/N 3207, built 2001 (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: 3207 - Airframe hours: 585.8 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-J2A 180 hp reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Silver State Helicopters - Registered owner: Mander Associates LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, May 16, 2002, 493.3 hours before - Departed: VGT, North Las Vegas, NV - Airport: KVGT, North Las Vegas Airport ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Flight instructor; age 55; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review February 28, 2001; seat: left; flight hours: 1,919 total, 451 in this make and model, 1,697 as pilot in command, 271 in the last 90 days, 109 in the last 30 days, 7 in the last 24 hours - Student pilot; age 36; injuries: none; student; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 30 °F - Altimeter: 29.87 inHg - Observed at: VGT, 8 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 20020614011429A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20020614011429A), Jun 14, 2002: Robsin R22BETA, Lasvegas, NV, No damage. (-23) Accident occurred during dual flight instruction in a remote off airport location approximately 11 sm southwest of the north las vegas airport.… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 16, 2004, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=54956. 299 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 299 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40445375&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.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.