# NTSB LAX04CA146: Robinson R22 Beta, N7188S, Long Beach, CA, March 6, 2004 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: March 5, 2004, 17:38 local (Mar 6, 2004, 01:38 UTC) - Place: Long Beach, CA - Coordinates: 33.820278, -118.155281 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.8203&lon=-118.1553&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 2, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 58868 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX04CA146 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/58868/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX04CA146 ## Probable cause the student pilot's improper use of the cyclic control and the certified flight instructor's inadequate supervision, which resulted in a rollover. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Roll over, landing - flare/touchdown - emergency procedure - simulated, pilot in command(cfi) - supervision - inadequate, pilot in command(cfi) (cause) - cyclic - improper use of, dual student (cause) - dynamic rollover - encountered ## Analysis The helicopter rolled over while the certified flight instructor (CFI) and student were practicing autorotations from a hover. On the previous attempt, the student pilot applied improper left cyclic input. The CFI identified the improper action to the student, and told him to try it again. The student landed the helicopter and maintained the heading; the CFI did not perceive any lateral movement. Then the CFI realized that the helicopter was starting to roll to the left. The CFI applied full right cyclic, but the helicopter continued to roll slowly until the main rotor blades contacted the ground. The helicopter came to rest on its left side. The CFI stated that the airplane had no mechanical failures or malfunctions during the flight. ## Factual narrative On March 5, 2004, at 1738 Pacific standard time, a Robinson R22 Beta, N7188S, rolled over while practicing a hovering autorotation at Long Beach-Daugherty Field (LGB), Long Beach, California. Los Angeles Helicopters was operating the helicopter under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The certified flight instructor (CFI) sustained minor injuries, and the student pilot was not injured; the helicopter sustained substantial damage. The local instructional flight departed LGB about 1630. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. The primary wreckage was at 33 degrees 49 minutes north latitude and 118 degrees 09 minutes west longitude. The CFI reported that while practicing hovering autorotations, the student pilot was manipulating the controls with the CFI following along. The autorotation prior to the accident resulted with the student pilot applying improper left cyclic input. The CFI identified the improper action to the student, and told him to try it again. On the accident hovering autorotation, the student was the sole manipulator of the controls. He landed the helicopter and maintained the heading; the CFI did not perceive any lateral movement. Then the CFI realized that the helicopter was starting to roll to the left. The CFI applied full right cyclic, but the helicopter continued to roll slowly until the main rotor blades contacted the ground. The helicopter came to rest on its left side. The pilot and operator submitted a Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2). The CFI stated that the airplane had no mechanical failures or malfunctions during the flight. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7188S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7188S-2009-07-23), registration cancelled 2009-07-23, S/N 3030, built 2000 (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 O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 3030 - Airframe hours: 2486.4 - Engines: Lycoming O-320 145 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Los Angeles Helicopters - Registered owner: Matthew Spitzer DBA - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, February 26, 2004, 25 hours before - Departed: LGB, LONG BEACH, CA - Airport: LGB, Long Beach /Daugherty Field/ ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Flight instructor; age 29; injuries: minor; commercial, flight instructor; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review May 12, 2003; seat: left; flight hours: 861 total, 527 in this make and model, 566 as pilot in command, 178 in the last 90 days, 60 in the last 30 days - Student pilot; age 56; injuries: none; seat: right; flight hours: 16 total, 16 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 290° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 20,000 ft broken - Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 52 °F - Altimeter: 30.15 inHg - Observed at: LGB ## 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 20040305002869A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040305002869A), Mar 5, 2004: Robsin R22BETA, Long Beach, CA, Substantial damage. (-23) During an instructional flight while practicing hovering autorotations, after landing near pad 3, the helicopter rolled to the left and PIC was unable to… ## Other investigations on N7188S (1) 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. - [NTSB LAX08CA016](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX08CA016), Oct 24, 2007: Robinson R22 Beta (N7188S), Long Beach, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The student pilot's improper execution of low rotor rpm procedures. Contributing to the accident was the flight instructor's inadequate supervision, failure to guard the throttle, and failure to take… 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.