# NTSB LAX07CA041: Robinson R22 Beta II, N199K, Tulare, CA, February 27, 2007 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: February 26, 2007, 16:20 local (Feb 27, 2007, 00:20 UTC) - Place: Tulare, CA - Coordinates: 36.156112, -119.32611 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.1561&lon=-119.3261&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 25, 2007 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 64914 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX07CA041 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/64914/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX07CA041 ## Probable cause The student pilot's improper use of the collective and cyclic control, which induced a dynamic rollover. Also causal was the certificated flight instructor's inadequate supervision and delayed remedial action. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Roll over, hover - in ground effect - terrain condition - ground - rotorcraft flight controls - improper use of, dual student (cause) - supervision - inadequate, pilot in command(cfi) (cause) - remedial action - delayed, pilot in command(cfi) (cause) - dynamic rollover - inadvertent, dual student ## Analysis During a practice hover autorotation, the helicopter touched down hard on the left skid and experienced a dynamic rollover. The certificated flight instructor (CFI) reported that the purpose of the flight was to conduct training for the student pilot (positioned in right seat). In an attempt to practice a hovering autorotation, the CFI rolled the throttle toward the idle position. In response, the student immediately raised the collective and did not input enough right pedal correction. The student additionally made an abrupt left cyclic input, resulting in the helicopter drifting left. The CFI assumed authority of the flight controls in attempt to arrest the high rate of descent and regain directional control. The helicopter stuck the ground hard on the left skid and rolled over. The CFI reported no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter prior to impact. ## Factual narrative During a practice hover autorotation, the helicopter touched down hard on the left skid. It subsequently experienced a dynamic rollover, coming to rest on its side. The certificated flight instructor (CFI) reported that the purpose of the flight was to conduct training for the student pilot (positioned in right seat). After a 1 hour 20 minute flight, the CFI opted to have the student practice hover autorotations at the airport the helicopter is based and where the flight was to terminate. After the CFI rolled the throttle toward the idle position, the student immediately raised the collective and did not input enough right pedal correction. The student additionally made an abrupt left cyclic input, resulting in the helicopter drifting left. The CFI assumed authority of the flight controls in attempt to arrest the high rate of descent and regain directional control. The helicopter stuck the ground hard on the left skid and rolled over. The CFI reported no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter prior to impact. The CFI stated that his total flight experience totaled 725 hours, of which 300 were accumulated while acting in the capacity of a flight instructor; the student had amassed a total flight time of 6.8 hours. The FAA Rotorcraft Flying Handbook states that as part of the technique for practice autorotation maneuvers from altitude, the pilot should "smoothly, but firmly lower the collective pitch control to the full down position, maintaining rotor r.p.m. in the green arc with throttle." To practice hovering autorotations, it instructs the pilot to "firmly roll the throttle into the spring loaded override position." It further states that, "as the throttle is closed, apply proper antitorque pedal to maintain heading" and "leave the collective pitch where it is on entry." It then instructs that "at approximately 1 foot above the surface, apply upward collective pitch control, as necessary, to slow the descent and cushion the landing," and notes that "usually the full amount of collective pitch is required." The manual lists one of the common errors of practice hovering autorotations to be the pilot's failure to "apply up-collective pitch properly, resulting in a hard touchdown." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N199K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N199K-2017-07-06), registration cancelled 2017-07-06, S/N 3529, built 2004 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Robinson R22 Beta II - Registry model: [Robinson Helicopter R22](https://openairdocs.org/model/robinson-helicopter-r22) (registry code 7640102) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-360-series) (registry code 41575, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 3529 - Engines: Lycoming O-360 reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Blue Sky Aviation, Inc. - Registered owner: Helimark LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: TLR, Tulare, CA - Destination: TLR, Tulare, CA - Airport: TLR, Mefford Field Airport ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Flight instructor; age 29; flight instructor, commercial; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2; flight hours: 725 total, 325 in this make and model, 100 in the last 90 days, 50 in the last 30 days - Student pilot; flight hours: 7 total, 7 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 145° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 8,000 ft broken - Temperature: 59 °F ## 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 20070226001569A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20070226001569A), Feb 26, 2007: Robsin R22, Tulare, CA, Substantial damage. (-23) Student pilot mismanaged flight controls during performance of a hovering autorotation. Instructor initiated maneuver in a three foot to five foot hover… 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.