# NTSB LAX03CA227: Robinson R22 Beta, N8318A, Waimea, HI, July 7, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 6, 2003, 14:30 local (Jul 7, 2003, 00:30 UTC) - Place: Waimea, HI - Coordinates: 20.002222, -155.66806 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=20.0022&lon=-155.6681&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 30, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 57408 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX03CA227 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/57408/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX03CA227 ## Probable cause The certified flight instructor (CFI) delayed remedial action in response to the excessive descent rate initiated by the student during the practice autorotation. Also causal, was the CFI's inadequate supervision of the student during the flight. A possible tail wind condition and the pilot identified gusts were factors. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor) - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor) - autorotation - initiated, dual student - supervision - inadequate, pilot in command(cfi) (cause) - descent - excessive, dual student (cause) - remedial action - delayed, pilot in command(cfi) (cause) - landing gear,skid assembly - collapsed ## Analysis The helicopter made a hard landing during a practice autorotation. The purpose of the flight was to prepare the student for a commercial flight test the following day. After a series of maneuvers, the CFI stopped the flight for a break and for additional fuel, then they initiated a series of practice autorotations on runway 4. After the break, two 180-degree autorotations from 1,000 feet above ground level (agl) were completed. Then they completed a 180-degree autorotation from 700 feet agl uneventfully. During a second 180-degree autorotation, about 100 feet agl at 70 knots, the CFI felt a sudden increase in the descent rate. He called for a go-around and assisted on the controls by adding throttle; however, the helicopter did not respond. The helicopter impacted the runway in a level attitude, and the skids were "spread completely." During the descent, the rpm remained "in the green," and the low rotor rpm horn did not activate. The wind conditions reported by the CFI at the airport were 040 at 20 knots, gusting to 28 knots. The closest official weather reporting station is the Kona airport, which is located 26 miles southwest of the accident site. While there are no intervening topographical features between Kona and the accident site, the Waimea-Kohala airport is at the base of Mauna Kea mountain. At 1454, the winds were 230 degrees at 10 knots, while the 1353 report showed winds from 200 degrees at 12 knots. The winds reported on the METAR observations 3 hours each side of the accident time were from the southwest at generally 10 to 15 knots. No mechanical problems were noted with the helicopter prior to the accident. ## Factual narrative On July 6, 2003, at 1430 Hawaiian standard time, a Robinson R22 Beta, N8318A, made a hard landing during a practice autorotation at Waimea 'Kohala Airport (MUE), Waimea, Hawaii. Hawaii Pacific Aviation, Inc., was operating the helicopter under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The certified flight instructor (CFI) and the student were not injured; the helicopter sustained substantial damage. The local area instructional flight departed Kona International Airport (KOA), Kona, Hawaii, about 1330. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed. The CFI reported the purpose of the flight was to prepare the student for a commercial flight test the following day. After a series of maneuvers, they stopped the flight for a break and for additional fuel. After the break, two 180-degree autorotations from 1,000 feet above ground level (agl) were completed. Then they completed a 180-degree autorotation from 700 feet agl uneventfully. During a second 180-degree autorotation, about 100 feet agl at 70 knots, the CFI felt a sudden increase in the descent rate. He called for a go-around and assisted on the controls by adding throttle; however, the helicopter did not respond. The helicopter impacted the runway in a level attitude; the skids were "spread completely." During the descent, the rpm remained "in the green" and the low rotor rpm horn did not activate. The wind conditions reported by the CFI at the airport were 040 at 20 knots, gusting to 28 knots. The closest official weather reporting station is the Kona airport, which is located 26 miles southwest of the accident site. While there are no intervening topographical features between Kona and the accident site, the Waimea-Kohala airport is at the base of Mauna Kea mountain. At 1454, the winds were 230 degrees at 10 knots, while the 1353 report showed winds from 200 degrees at 12 knots. The winds reported on the METAR observations 3 hours each side of the accident time were from the southwest at generally 10 to 15 knots. No mechanical problems were noted with the helicopter prior to the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8318A](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8318A-2003-11-19), registration cancelled 2003-11-19, S/N 2485, built 1994 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Robinson R22 Beta - Registry model: [Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA](https://openairdocs.org/model/robinson-helicopter-r22-beta) (registry code 7640110) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 2485 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-B2C 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Registered owner: Hawaii Pacific Helicopters - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: KOA, Kona, HI - Destination: MUE, Waimea 'Kohala, HI - Airport: MUE, Waimea-Kohala Airport, runway 4, 5,197 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Flight instructor; age 38; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 815 total, 800 in this make and model, 121 in the last 90 days, 68 in the last 30 days - Student pilot; age 18; injuries: none; private; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 160 total, 160 in this make and model, 100 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 220° at 10 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 650 ft broken - Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 66 °F - Altimeter: 29.95 inHg - Observed at: KOA ## 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 20030706020879A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030706020879A), Jul 6, 2003: Robsin R22BETA, Kamuela, HI, Substantial damage. (-23) The pilot in command stated that while conducting a 180 degree autorotation, at about 100 feet above the ground and indicating 70 knots, he felt a sudden… 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.