# NTSB LAX05CA232: Robinson R-22 Beta II, N7514P, Mesa, AZ, July 15, 2005 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 15, 2005, 09:00 local (16:00 UTC) - Place: Mesa, AZ - Coordinates: 33.307777, -111.655555 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.3078&lon=-111.6556&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 27, 2005 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 61982 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX05CA232 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/61982/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX05CA232 ## Probable cause the improper use of the throttle and antitorque pedal by the pilot undergoing instruction, and the inadequate supervision of the flight by the certified flight instructor. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, hover - autorotation - initiated, dual student - throttle/power control - improper use of, dual student (cause) - tail rotor/anti-torque control - improper use of, dual student (cause) - supervision - inadequate, pilot in command(cfi) (cause) - Roll over, hover ## Analysis During a practice hovering autorotation the helicopter impacted the terrain and rolled over. On the third attempt at the hovering autorotation, the pilot undergoing instruction (PUI) and certified flight instructor (CFI) stabilized the helicopter in a 2-foot hover. The PUI counted down "three, two, and one" and entered the maneuver. He then increased the throttle, as opposed to retarding the throttle, and simultaneously added full right antitorque pedal. The helicopter then began to rapidly yaw to the right. The CFI then retarded the throttle and tried to overcome the PUI's right antitorque pedal input. At this point the helicopter was starting to descend, and the right yawing motion was beginning to slow down. As the helicopter descended towards terrain, the low rotor rpm horn and light went off, and the CFI lowered the collective in attempt to stop the descent. Shortly thereafter, the helicopter impacted the terrain, and rolled over on its right side facing 180 degrees from the initial starting point. The resulting damage was to the main rotor blades, tail rotor blades, and tail boom. The pilot stated that the helicopter and engine had no mechanical failures or malfunctions during the flight. ## Factual narrative On July 15, 2005, about 0900 mountain standard time, a Robinson R-22 Beta II, N7514P, impacted the terrain and rolled over during a practice hovering autorotation at the Williams Gateway Airport (KIWA), Mesa, Arizona. Sliver State 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 departed Mesa, Arizona, about 0835. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. In a written statement, the CFI stated that the purpose of this instructional flight was to prepare the PUI for the Robinson Safety Course. They had planned on practicing several maneuvers, which included hovering autorotations. The CFI reported that they positioned the helicopter in a hover over taxiway hotel between taxiway Charlie and runway 30R to practice hovering autorotations. On the third attempt at the hovering autorotation, they stabilized the helicopter in a 2-foot hover. The PUI counted down "three, two, and one" and entered the maneuver. He then increased the throttle, as opposed to retarding the throttle, and simultaneously added full right antitorque pedal. The helicopter then began to rapidly yaw to the right. The CFI then retarded the throttle and tried to overcome the PUI's right antitorque pedal input. At this point, the helicopter was starting to descend, and the right yawing motion was beginning to slow down. As the helicopter descended towards terrain, the low rotor rpm horn and light went off, and the CFI lowered the collective in an attempt to stop the descent. Shortly thereafter, the helicopter impacted the terrain, and rolled over on its right side facing 180 degrees from the initial starting point. The resulting damage was to the main rotor blades, tail rotor blades, and tail boom. The pilot stated that the helicopter and engine had no mechanical failures or malfunctions during the flight. According to the Rotorcraft Flying Handbook (FAA-H-8083-21), when performing hovering autorotations the pilot is to firmly roll the throttle into the spring loaded override position, if applicable. This disengages the driving force of the engine from the rotor, thus eliminating torque effect. As the throttle is closed, apply proper antitorque pedal to maintain heading. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7514P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7514P-2017-07-18), registration cancelled 2017-07-18, S/N 3486, 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-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-360-series) (registry code 41575, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 3486 - Airframe hours: 1915.8 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-J2A 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Sliver State Helicopters - Registered owner: Eric A Spitzer LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, July 1, 2005, 45.5 hours before - Departed: KIWA, Mesa, AZ - Destination: KIWA, Mesa, AZ - Airport: IWA, Williams Gateway Airport ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Flight instructor; age 34; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review April 1, 2005; seat: left; flight hours: 449 total, 408 in this make and model, 249 in the last 90 days, 101 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours - Student pilot; age 51; injuries: none; private; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; seat: right; flight hours: 170 total, 170 in this make and model, 10 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 300° at 3 knots - Visibility: 30 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 95 °F, dew point 55 °F - Altimeter: 29.86 inHg - Observed at: IWA ## 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 20050715015809A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20050715015809A), Jul 15, 2005: Robsin R22BETA, Phoenix, AZ, Substantial damage. (-23) On July 15, 2005, at approximately 0902 MST, N7514P, a Robinson R-22-beta helicopter, with the pilot [privacy data omitted] performing as a CFR and… 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.