# NTSB LAX03LA189: Robinson R22 Beta II, N727DD, Phoenix, AZ, June 9, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 9, 2003, 16:30 local (23:30 UTC) - Place: Phoenix, AZ - Coordinates: 33.688331, -112.082496 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.6883&lon=-112.0825&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 29, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration, Robinson Helicopter Company - NTSB case key (mKey): 57190 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX03LA189 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/57190/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX03LA189 ## Probable cause The instructor's inadequate supervision and his failure to maintain aircraft control. The wind gusts were a factor. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Roll over, hover - in ground effect - low altitude flight/maneuver - attempted, pilot in command(cfi) - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor) - supervision - inadequate, pilot in command(cfi) (cause) - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command(cfi) (cause) - dynamic rollover - encountered, pilot in command(cfi) (cause) ## Analysis The helicopter rolled over during a low altitude hover. This was the second instructional flight for the student. The certified flight instructor (CFI) and student were both on the controls, hovering approximately 5 feet above ground level (agl). The CFI was in control of the cyclic and the student was in control of the antitorque pedals and the collective. During the hover, the helicopter rolled to the right and collided with the ground, coming to rest on its side. No preimpact control anomalies with the helicopter were discovered. Winds were reported from 170 at 9 knots, gusting to 17 knots, just prior to the accident. A 3-foot-long drag mark in the dirt was noted, which led directly to the helicopter's right skid. ## Factual narrative On June 9, 2003, about 1630 mountain standard time, a Robinson R22 Beta II, N727DD, rolled over during a low altitude hover near Deer Valley Airport (DVT), Phoenix, Arizona. Universal Helicopters, Inc., was operating the helicopter under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The certified flight instructor (CFI) and student were not injured; the helicopter sustained substantial damage. The local instructional flight departed Scottsdale Airport (SDL), Scottsdale, Arizona, about 1600. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. In a written statement, the CFI stated that this was the second instructional flight for the student. The CFI and student were hovering approximately 7 feet above ground level (agl). The CFI was in control of the cyclic and the student was in control of the antitorque pedals and the collective. During the hover, the helicopter rolled to the right and collided with the ground, coming to rest on its side. During wreckage recovery operations, the principal of Universal Helicopters observed a 3-foot-long drag mark in the dirt leading up to the helicopter's right skid. The helicopter was examined at Robinson Helicopter Company (RHC) in Torrance, California, by the National Transportation Safety Board investigator-in-charge (IIC) and a technical investigator from RHC. Control continuity was established with the cyclic, collective, and antitorque pedals and no preimpact control anomalies were noted. An aviation routine weather observation (METAR) was issued at 1622 for an airport about 6 miles away. Winds were reported from 170 at 9 knots, gusting to 17 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N727DD](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N727DD), registered now, S/N 3328, built 2002 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Robinson R22 Beta II - Registry model: [Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA](https://openairdocs.org/model/robinson-helicopter-r22-beta) (registry code 7640110) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-360-series) (registry code 41575, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 3328 - Airframe hours: 1149 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-J2A 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Registered owner: Universal Helicopters, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: KSDL, Scottsdale, AZ ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Flight instructor; age 33; injuries: none; airline transport, commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter, airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review October 22, 2002; seat: left; flight hours: 3,770 total, 455 in this make and model, 1,808 as pilot in command, 156 in the last 90 days, 46 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 170° at 9 knots, gusting 17 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 99 °F, dew point 36 °F - Altimeter: 29.75 inHg - Observed at: KDVT ## 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 20030609012669A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030609012669A), Jun 9, 2003: Robsin R22BETA, Deer Valley, AZ, Substantial damage. (-23) Instructor with student pilot on his second instruction flight. The instructor [privacy data omitted] was teaching the student hover practice, the… 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.