# NTSB LAX03LA191: Robinson R-22 Beta, N7508D, Phoenix, AZ, June 11, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 10, 2003, 18:45 local (Jun 11, 2003, 01:45 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: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report September 29, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 57193 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX03LA191 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/57193/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX03LA191 ## Probable cause The student pilot's improper use of the throttle control, the certified flight instructor (CFI) inadequate supervision, and the student's control interference, which resulted in a loss of main rotor rpm. ## 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 - autorotation - attempted, dual student - supervision - inadequate, pilot in command(cfi) (cause) - throttle/power control - improper use of, dual student (cause) - remedial action - attempted, pilot in command(cfi) (cause) - control interference - encountered, pilot in command(cfi) (cause) - rotor rpm - not maintained, pilot in command(cfi) (cause) - Roll over, landing - flare/touchdown - terrain condition - rough/uneven ## Analysis The helicopter landed hard and rolled over during a power recovery from a practice autorotation. The certified flight instructor (CFI) stated that he and the student experienced a "total rotor stall" due to a failure to do a power recovery. He and the student had performed a series of autorotations prior to the eventful one. The entry and glide were "very well managed, the student nailed his rpm control and pitch in the glide." During the level off from the flare, the student was beginning to raise the collective as power was restored. The CFI told the student to begin rolling on the throttle, simultaneously reaching for the throttle himself to assist the student in rolling it on. However, the student firmly gripped the throttle and rolled it off. The instructor reported that he could not override the student's input prior to a main rotor rpm decay that caused the helicopter to land hard. Due to gusty wind conditions, the helicopter was blown off course and came to rest on its left side in a mature cactus (cholla) bed. Flight and throttle control continuity was established and no preimpact anomalies were found. ## Factual narrative On June 10, 2003, about 1845 mountain standard time, a Robinson R-22 Beta, N7508D, landed hard and rolled over during a power recovery from a practice autorotation near Deer Valley Airport (DVT), Phoenix, Arizona. Quantum Helicopter, Inc., was operating the helicopter under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The certified flight instructor (CFI) and student sustained minor injuries; the airplane sustained substantial damage. The local instructional flight departed Scottsdale Airport (SDL), Scottsdale, Arizona, about 1730. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. The CFI stated that he and the student experienced a "total rotor stall" due to a failure to do a power recovery. He and the student had performed a series of autorotations prior to the eventful one. The entry and glide were "very well managed, the student nailed his rpm control and pitch in the glide." During the level off from the flare, the student was beginning to raise the collective as power was restored. The CFI told the student to begin rolling on the throttle, simultaneously reaching for the throttle himself to assist the student in rolling it on. However, the student firmly gripped the throttle and rolled it off. The instructor reported that he could not override the student's input prior to a main rotor rpm decay that caused the helicopter to land hard. Due to gusty wind conditions, the helicopter was blown off course and came to rest on its left side in a mature cactus (cholla) bed. The Federal Aviation Administration inspector examined the helicopter. Flight and throttle control continuity was established and no preimpact anomalies were found. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7508D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7508D-2005-08-11), registration cancelled 2005-08-11, S/N 3330, built 2002 (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-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-360-series) (registry code 41575, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 3330 - Airframe hours: 1269 - Engines: Lycoming O-360 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Quantum Helicopters - Registered owner: Delta Leasing, Inc. DBA - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 8, 2003, 12.5 hours before - Departed: KSDL, Scottsdale, AZ ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Flight instructor; age 32; injuries: minor; commercial, flight instructor; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 972 total, 354 in this make and model, 866 as pilot in command, 95 in the last 90 days, 53 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours - Student pilot; age 51; injuries: minor; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 63 total, 63 in this make and model, 50 in the last 90 days, 13 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 240° at 14 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 91 °F, dew point 30 °F - Altimeter: 29.77 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 20030610011959A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030610011959A), Jun 10, 2003: Robsin R22BETA, Phoenix, AZ, Substantial damage. (-23) During an instructional flight, the helicopter landed hard during a power recovery from a practice autorotation. As the student was recovering the CFI… 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.