# NTSB LAX04CA198: Robinson R22 Beta II, N7521P, Squaw Valley, CA, April 27, 2004 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: April 27, 2004, 14:00 local (21:00 UTC) - Place: Squaw Valley, CA - Coordinates: 36.640823, -119.289169 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.6408&lon=-119.2892&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 29, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 59148 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX04CA198 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/59148/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX04CA198 ## Probable cause the pilot's failure to maintain a proper descent rate during the landing approach, which resulted in a hard landing and roll over. Also causal was the pilot's inadequate compensation for tailwind conditions. A factor in the accident was the high density altitude. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Hard landing, landing - weather condition - tailwind - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - descent - excessive, pilot in command (cause) - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor) - Roll over, landing - flare/touchdown ## Analysis The helicopter experienced a hard landing and rolled over. The flight departed for a proposed 20-minute tour with the helicopter's gross weight about 1,240 pounds. While en route, the pilot opted to land in an area of flat terrain. During the landing sequence, he slowed the helicopter, and it began to descend. The descent continued and the helicopter landed hard. The helicopter rolled over and the pilot and passenger egressed. After exiting the helicopter, the pilot noted surface wind from the west, which was consistent with a tailwind. The pilot stated that the combination of tailwind conditions and high altitude equated to an undesirable landing environment. He thought that the helicopter's descent rate was "too high" for the conditions. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane. After the accident the California Highway Patrol helicopter air unit landed at the accident site to determine if the occupants were injured. An officer noted that the elevation at the accident site was 8,359 feet and the outside air temperature was about 71 degrees Fahrenheit. Based on the officer's observations, the density altitude was computed to be about 11,000 feet. ## Factual narrative On April 27, 2004, about 1400 Pacific daylight time, a Robinson R22 Beta II, N7521P, experienced a hard landing and rolled over near Squaw Valley, California. Dracor, Inc., was operating the helicopter under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The private pilot and passenger were not injured; the helicopter sustained substantial damage. The local personal flight departed from Truckee, California, about 1350. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan had not been filed. The wreckage was at 39 degrees 13.24 minutes north latitude and 120 degrees 15.46 minutes west longitude. In a written report, the pilot stated that he departed Truckee to the southwest for a proposed 20-minute tour, with the helicopter's gross weight about 1,240 pounds. While en route at 8,700 feet mean sea level, he noted that the wind was coming from the southeast. He opted to land in an area of flat terrain in an effort to demonstrate an approach to his passenger. During the landing sequence, he slowed the helicopter, and it began to descend. The decent continued and the helicopter landed hard. The helicopter rolled over and the pilot and passenger egressed. After exiting the helicopter, the pilot noted surface wind from the west, which was consistent with a tailwind. The pilot stated that the combination of tailwind conditions and high altitude equated to an undesirable landing environment. He thought that the helicopter's decent rate was too high for the conditions. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter. After the accident the California Highway Patrol helicopter air unit landed at the accident site to determine if the occupants were injured. An officer noted that the elevation at the accident site was 8,359 feet and the outside air temperature was about 71 degrees Fahrenheit. Based on the officer's observations, the density altitude was computed to be about 11,000 feet. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7521P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7521P-2013-08-16), registration cancelled 2013-08-16, S/N 3342, 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: 3342 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-J2A reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Dracor Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: TRK, Truckee, CA - Destination: TRK, Truckee, CA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 40; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3; flight hours: 1,042 total, 467 in this make and model, 66 in the last 90 days, 22 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 20040427006469A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040427006469A), Apr 27, 2004: Robsin R22BETA, Squaw Valley, CA, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot attempted to demonstrate an approach to a saddle to the passenger at 8,395 ft MSL. Pilot stated as he approached the saddle he did not intend to… 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.