# NTSB LAX07CA043: Robinson R22 Beta, N994HV, Santa Clarita, CA, November 21, 2006 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: November 21, 2006, 12:30 local (20:30 UTC) - Place: Santa Clarita, CA - Coordinates: 34.810554, -118.964447 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.8106&lon=-118.9644&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 26, 2007 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 64925 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX07CA043 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/64925/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX07CA043 ## Probable cause the student pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions and the instructor's failure to arrest the descent, which resulted in a dynamic rollover. Also causal was the inadequate supervision by the instructor. A factor in the accident was the wind shift to a tail wind condition. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Roll over, landing - weather condition - sudden windshift (contributing factor) - autorotation - initiated, dual student - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor) - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, dual student (cause) - supervision - inadequate, pilot in command(cfi) (cause) - descent - not corrected, pilot in command(cfi) (cause) - dynamic rollover - encountered - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor) ## Analysis The helicopter rolled onto its side while performing a practice autorotation. The instructor said he determined the direction of the wind by comparing the indicated airspeed to the global positioning satellite displayed speed, and by observing dust behind a tractor operating in a field below. Both indicators verified that the wind was from the east. After the student demonstrated several maneuvers, the instructor decided to have him practice autorotations. He again confirmed that the wind was from the east. The instructor and student positioned the helicopter facing into the direction they believed the wind was coming from and began a practice autorotation. The helicopter descended, and they began the flare portion of the maneuver about 40 feet above ground level (agl). Despite their control inputs (adding throttle and raising the collective), the helicopter continued the descent, and settled toward the ground. The aft portion of the skids first touched down on the sandy surface, and the helicopter continued forward with very little airspeed. It pivoted about the right skid, rolled over, and came to rest on its right side. The instructor reported that after egressing the helicopter, he noted the wind had changed directions in the midst of the practice autorotation and they had performed the autorotation with a tail wind. He noted no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter prior to impact. Another helicopter pilot, who was practicing in the vicinity, stated that he noticed a wind shift around the time of the accident. ## Factual narrative On November 21, 2006, about 1230 Pacific standard time, a Robinson R22 Beta, N994HV, encountered a dynamic rollover near Santa Clarita, California. Twin Air, Inc., was operating the helicopter under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The certificated flight instructor and student were not injured; the helicopter sustained substantial damage. The local instructional flight departed Van Nuys Airport, Van Nuys, California, about 1145. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan had not been filed. In a written statement, the flight instructor reported that the purpose of the flight was for the student pilot to review the maneuvers for the private pilot practical test standards. While en route to a practice area, the instructor determined the direction of the wind by comparing the indicated airspeed to the global positioning satellite displayed speed, and by observing dust behind a tractor operating in a field below. Both indicators verified that the wind was from the east. After the student demonstrated several maneuvers, the instructor decided to have him practice autorotations. He again confirmed that the wind was from the east. The instructor further stated that with the helicopter headed in an easterly direction, the student configured it for an autorotation. It descended, and they began the flare portion of the maneuver about 40 feet above ground level (agl). Despite their control inputs (adding throttle and raising the collective), it continued the descent, and settled toward the ground. The instructor took the controls, and initiated a power recovery. The aft section of the skids first touched the soft sandy surface, and it continued forward with very little airspeed. It pivoted about the right skid, and came to rest on its right side. The instructor reported that after egressing the helicopter, he noted a westerly wind. He opined that the wind had changed directions in the midst of their practice autorotation. He noted no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter prior to impact. A weather reporting station in Saugus, California, (about 3 miles northeast of the accident site) reported that between 1204 and 1244 winds were consistently from the south at 4 miles per hour (mph). In a written statement, another helicopter pilot who was practicing in the vicinity reported that he noticed a wind shift around the time of the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N994HV](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N994HV-2018-03-09), registration cancelled 2018-03-09, S/N 0994, built 1989 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Robinson R22 Beta - Registry model: [Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA](https://openairdocs.org/model/robinson-helicopter-r22-beta) (registry code 7640110) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 0994 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-BC reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Twin Air, Inc. - Registered owner: Matthew Spitzer - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: VNY, Van Nuys, CA - Destination: VNY ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Flight instructor; age 44; commercial, flight instructor; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2; flight hours: 1,507 total, 939 in this make and model, 262 in the last 90 days, 107 in the last 30 days - Student pilot; age 37; student; medical: class 2; flight hours: 55 total, 45 in this make and model, 55 in the last 90 days, 45 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 270° at 15 knots - Visibility: 6 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 34 °F - Altimeter: 28.50 inHg ## 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 20061121025679A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20061121025679A), Nov 21, 2006: Robsin R22BETA, Piru, CA, Substantial damage. (-23) Aircraft impacted ground following simulated engine failure with power recover. Aircraft entered autorotation down wind. During power recovery aircraft… ## Other investigations on N994HV (1) 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 CEN14CA108](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN14CA108), Jan 9, 2014: Robinson Helicopter R22 Beta (N994HV), Beaumont, TX, substantial damage. Probable cause: The student pilot not controlling the helicopter following a wind gust and the flight instructor's inadequate remedial action resulting in the helicopter rolling over on its side during a 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.