# NTSB LAX05CA188: Robinson R-22 Beta II, N192SH, Jean, NV, May 25, 2005 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 25, 2005, 09:45 local (16:45 UTC) - Place: Jean, NV - Coordinates: 35.768333, -115.329444 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.7683&lon=-115.3294&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 13, 2005 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 61583 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX05CA188 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/61583/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX05CA188 ## Probable cause the student's failure to maintain adequate main rotor rpm when performing a180-degree autorotation, and the instructor's inadequate supervision and delayed remedial action. 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). - In flight collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown - object - fence - adequate rotor rpm - not maintained, dual student (cause) - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor) - supervision - inadequate, pilot in command(cfi) (cause) - remedial action - delayed, pilot in command(cfi) (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis During a 180-degree practice autorotation, the main rotor rpm decayed and the helicopter tail boom collided with a boundary fence short of the intended landing spot. As the helicopter rolled out of the 180-degree turn onto final approach, the certified flight instructor and student both noticed that the main rotor rpm had decayed. The student then increased the throttle in attempt to go around and the instructor took the controls. At this point the instructor noticed that the main rotor rpm was at 92 percent and the helicopter was descending. The CFI was unable to stop the decent rate, and the helicopter collided with the fence short of the intended touchdown point and then impacted the terrain. The instructor and student both stated that the helicopter and engine had no mechanical failures or malfunctions during the flight. The density altitude was calculated to be about 5,590 feet. ## Factual narrative On May 25, 2005, about 0945 Pacific daylight time, a Robinson R-22 Beta II, N192SH, collided with a boundary fence and impacted the terrain during a practice 180-degree autorotation near the Jean Airport, Jean, Nevada. Silver State Helicopters was operating the helicopter under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The certified flight instructor (CFI) and the private pilot undergoing instruction (PUI) were not injured; the helicopter sustained substantial damage. The cross-country instructional flight departed the North Las Vegas Airport, Las Vegas, Nevada, about 0850, with a planned destination of Jean. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. Both the CFI and PUI submitted a written statement. They stated that they completed several straight-in autorotation approaches and three 180-degree autorotations. They conducted the last 180-degree autorotation from 3,500 feet mean sea level (about 600 feet above ground level). As the helicopter rolled out of the 180-degree turn on short final, the CFI and PUI noticed that the engine rpm began to decay. The PUI then increased the throttle in an attempt to go around, and the CFI took the controls. At this point the CFI noticed that the engine rpm was at 92 percent and the helicopter was descending. The CFI was unable to stop the decent rate, and the helicopter collided with a boundary fence and pitched forward into the terrain. In a written statement, the CFI reported that the temperature was 32 degrees Celsius, the dew point was negative 15 degrees Celsius, and the altimeter setting was 29.84 inHg. The density altitude was approximately 5,590 feet. The CFI and PUI both stated that the helicopter and engine had no mechanical failures or malfunctions during the flight. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N192SH](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N192SH-2013-06-11), registration cancelled 2013-06-11, S/N 3459, built 2003 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Robinson R-22 Beta II - 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: 3459 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-J2A reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Silver State Helicopters, doing business as Silver State Helicopters - Registered owner: Jan Air, LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: KVGT, Las Vegas, NV - Destination: 0L7, Jean, NV - Flight plan: Unknown - Airport: 0L7, Jean Airport, runway 2L, 4,600 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Flight instructor; age 21; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2; flight hours: 575 total, 520 in this make and model, 490 as pilot in command, 130 in the last 90 days, 90 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours - Student pilot; age 48; private; medical: class 2 ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 60° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 91 °F, dew point 36 °F - Altimeter: 29.93 inHg - Observed at: KLAS, 21 nm away ## 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 20050525010779A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20050525010779A), May 25, 2005: Robsin R22BETA, Jean, NV, Substantial damage. (-23) On may 25, 2005, at approximately 0945 local time, N192SH (R-22-BII) piloted by [privacy data omitted] was unable to arrest the high vertical descent… 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.