# NTSB LAX04CA048: Robinson R22, N7193J, Chandler, AZ, November 18, 2003

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: November 18, 2003, 16:20 local (23:20 UTC)
- Place: Chandler, AZ
- Coordinates: 33.269165, -111.811111
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.2692&lon=-111.8111&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 2, 2004
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: FAA
- NTSB case key (mKey): 58367
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX04CA048
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/58367/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX04CA048

## Probable cause

the student pilot's failure to maintain control of the helicopter while hovering.  A factor to the accident was the student pilot's lack of experience.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - in flight, hover - in ground effect
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, hover - in ground effect
  - terrain condition - ground

## Analysis

The helicopter collided with the ground while hovering.  The student was on his first solo flight.  After flying about 1 hour with his certified flight instructor (CFI), the CFI got out of the helicopter and positioned himself a short distance away.  As the student raised the collective, the helicopter began to tilt to the right.  He attempted to correct with left cyclic, and the helicopter lifted off the ground.  The helicopter was in an unstable hover and the tail rotor struck the surface, resulting in the helicopter yawing 180 degrees to the right.  As it rotated, the main rotors struck the surface and the helicopter came to a stop.  There were no mechanical malfunctions with the helicopter.

## Factual narrative

On November 18, 2003, at 1620 mountain standard time, a Robinson R22 helicopter, N7193J, collided with the ground while lifting into a hover at Chandler Municipal Airport (CHD), Chandler, Arizona.  Quantum Helicopters, Inc., was operating the helicopter under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91.  The student pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured; the helicopter sustained substantial damage.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed.  The flight was originating at the time.

In a written statement, the student reported that this was his first solo flight.  After flying about 1 hour with his certified flight instructor (CFI), the student's CFI got out of the helicopter and positioned himself a short distance away.  As the student raised the collective, the helicopter began to tilt to the right.  He attempted to correct with left cyclic, and the helicopter lifted off the ground.  The helicopter was in an unstable hover and the tail rotor struck the surface, resulting in the helicopter yawing 180 degrees to the right.  As it rotated, the main rotors struck the surface and the helicopter came to a stop.  The student reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions with the helicopter.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7193J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7193J-2004-12-03), registration cancelled 2004-12-03, S/N 3144, built 2000 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Robinson R22
- 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: 3144
- Engines: Lycoming O-360-J2A reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Quantum Helicopters, doing business as Quantum Helicopters
- Registered owner: Delta Leasing, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: KCHD, Chandler, AZ
- Airport: CHD, Chandler Municipal

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Student pilot; age 22; student; medical: class 2; flight hours: 28 total, 28 in this make and model, 28 in the last 90 days, 28 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day

## 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 20031118029289A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20031118029289A), Nov 18, 2003: Robsin R22BETA, Chandler, AZ, Substantial damage. (-23) The helicopter slid forward and to the left when the student pilot attempted his first solo takeoff. The student pilot over corrected with aft cyclic…

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.

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