# NTSB LAX05CA078: Robinson R22, N7535Z, Chandler, AZ, January 28, 2005 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: January 28, 2005, 16:30 local (23:30 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: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 28, 2005 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 60932 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX05CA078 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/60932/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX05CA078 ## Probable cause the certified flight instructor's inadequate use of the antitorque control pedals while adding throttle, which led to a loss of directional control. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, landing - tail rotor/anti-torque control - improper use of, pilot in command(cfi) (cause) - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command(cfi) (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis The helicopter collided with terrain following a loss of antitorque control during a practice slope landing. On the third or fourth practice landing, the helicopter's skids were positioned so that the rear portions angled downwards toward lower terrain. As the student pilot configured the flight controls to remove the load off the rotor blades, the tail of the helicopter began to tip backwards. The CFI took control of the helicopter and added power to prevent the tail rotor from striking terrain. The helicopter responded by rotating to the right about the vertical axis. The CFI attempted to maintain level flight and counteract the spin by applying antitorque pedal input, but was unable to maintain control of the helicopter. After four or five revolutions to the right, the helicopter's right front section impacted terrain ## Factual narrative On January 28, 2005, about 1630 mountain standard time, a Robinson R22, N7535Z, collided with terrain during a practice landing near Chandler Municipal Airport, Chandler, Arizona. Quantum Helicopters was operating the helicopter under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The certified flight instructor (CFI) and pilot undergoing instruction (PUI) were not injured; the helicopter sustained substantial damage. The local instructional flight originated from Chandler about 1525. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan had not been filed. In a telephone conversation with a National Transportation Safety Board investigator, the CFI stated that the PUI was performing practice slope landings. On the third or fourth practice landing, the helicopter touched down on uneven terrain. The helicopter's skids were positioned so that the rear portions angled downwards toward lower terrain. As the student pilot configured the flight controls to remove the load off the rotor blades, the tail of the helicopter began to tip backwards. The CFI took control of the helicopter and added power to prevent the tail rotor from striking terrain. The helicopter responded by rotating to the right about the vertical axis. The pilot attempted to maintain level flight and counteract the spin by applying antitorque pedal input, but was unable to maintain control of the helicopter. After four or five revolutions to the right, the helicopter's right front section impacted terrain. The helicopter sustained damage to the tail cone assembly and both rotor blades. The pilot was unable to verify the orientation of the cyclic during the accident. The CFI reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7535Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7535Z-2025-04-17), registration cancelled 2025-04-17, S/N 3477, built 2003 (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-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-360-series) (registry code 41575, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 3477 - Engines: Lycoming O-360 Series reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Registered owner: Quantum Helicopters - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: CHD, Chandler, AZ - Destination: CHD, Chandler, AZ - Airport: CHD, Chandler Municipal Airport ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Flight instructor; age 42; commercial, flight instructor; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2; flight hours: 555 total, 555 in this make and model, 172 in the last 90 days - Student pilot; age 26; student; medical: class 2; flight hours: 141 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none ## 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 20050128034219A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20050128034219A), Jan 28, 2005: Robsin R22BETA, Chandler, AZ, Substantial damage. (-23) On January 28, 2005, at approximately 1625 MST, the CFI [privacy data omitted] was providing primary flight instruction to the student pilot [privacy… ## Other investigations on N7535Z (2) 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 ERA24LA203](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24LA203), Apr 30, 2024: Robinson Helicopter R22 Beta (N7535Z), Louisburg, NC, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot under instruction’s inadvertent use of the mixture control, which resulted in a total loss of engine power. - [NTSB MIA07CA079](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA07CA079), Apr 27, 2007: Robinson R-22 Beta II (N7535Z), West Palm Beach, FL, substantial damage. Probable cause: The student pilot's inadvertent shutting off of the mixture control while performing the prelanding checks that resulted loss of engine power and a roll over during the subsequent forced landing. 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.