# NTSB LAX05LA119: Robinson R-22 Beta, N716GH, Waddell, AZ, March 22, 2005 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 22, 2005, 10:00 local (17:00 UTC) - Place: Waddell, AZ - Coordinates: 33.566665, -112.5 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.5667&lon=-112.5000&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 29, 2006 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 61185 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX05LA119 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/61185/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX05LA119 ## Probable cause the pilot's failure to maintain adequate rotor rpm and obstacle clearance, resulting in a dynamic rollover and collision with terrain. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Roll over, maneuvering - rotor rpm - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - terrain condition - high vegetation (contributing factor) - altitude/clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - dynamic rollover - encountered, pilot in command ## Analysis The helicopter contacted high vegetation and rolled over while maneuvering at low altitude. The pilot reported that he went over a small hill into a ravine. As he tried to gain altitude to climb out of the ravine, rotor rpm decayed. The pilot turned the helicopter; however, the right skid hooked onto vegetation. The helicopter rolled over separating the main rotor system, tail boom, and tail rotor. ## Factual narrative On March 22, 2005, about 1000 mountain standard time, a Robinson R-22 Beta, N716GH, contacted high vegetation and rolled over while maneuvering at low altitude near Waddell, Arizona. Gold Coast Aviation was operating the helicopter under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The commercial pilot and one passenger were not injured; the helicopter sustained substantial damage. The personal local flight departed Glendale, Arizona, about 0900. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. The pilot and passenger rented the helicopter from Gold Coast Aviation with an intended flight from Glendale to Tucson, Arizona. Prior to departure, the pilot and passenger agreed that they would fly north for a photo flight over the passenger's house before heading to Tucson. The pilot reported that after the photo flight, they proceeded westbound to try to locate a few of his friends who were riding in the desert. He stated that he never intended on landing, but after locating them, he decided to land. The pilot reported that he went over a small hill into a ravine. As he tried to gain altitude to climb out of the ravine, main rotor rpm decayed. The pilot turned the helicopter; however, the right skid hooked onto vegetation. The helicopter rolled over separating the main rotor system, tail boom, and tail rotor. The pilot stated that the helicopter and engine had no mechanical failures or malfunctions during the flight. The operator submitted a Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB form 6120 1/2). The pilot did not submit an NTSB Form 6120. 1/2, but did submit a written statement. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N716GH](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N716GH-2008-08-05), registration cancelled 2008-08-05, S/N 3752, built 2004 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Robinson R-22 Beta - 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: 3752 - Airframe hours: 100.7 - Engines: Lycoming O-360 124 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Gold Coast Helicopters Inc - Registered owner: GCA International, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, March 1, 2005, 1.7 hours before - Departed: GEU, Glendale, AZ - Destination: TUS, TUCSON, AZ - Flight plan: Unknown ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 46; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: helicopter, airplane; medical: class 2; last flight review March 1, 2004; seat: right; flight hours: 6,149 total, 300 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 100° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 37 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: DVT 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.