# NTSB LAX07CA131: Robinson R22 Beta, N222MQ, Spanish Fork, UT, April 21, 2007 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: April 21, 2007, 11:15 local (17:15 UTC) - Place: Spanish Fork, UT - Coordinates: 40.141387, -111.661109 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.1414&lon=-111.6611&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 27, 2007 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 65635 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX07CA131 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/65635/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX07CA131 ## Probable cause The student pilot's improper use of the flight controls, 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, landing - flare/touchdown - rotorcraft flight controls - improper use of, dual student (cause) - terrain condition - ground - supervision - inadequate, pilot in command(cfi) (cause) - remedial action - delayed, pilot in command(cfi) (cause) - dynamic rollover - encountered ## Analysis During a practice hover autorotation, the helicopter touched down hard, bounced, and experienced a dynamic rollover. The student performed three hovering autorotations without incident. The student properly entered the fourth autorotation, which was to be the last of the flight. The student then made several cyclic input changes and the helicopter touched down on the left skid, resulting in the helicopter bouncing back airborne. The student reacted by inputting left pedal followed with abrupt right forward cyclic movement. The helicopter drifted right and began to pivot around the front portion of the right skid. The CFI assumed authority of the flight controls in attempt to regain directional control; however, the helicopter continued rolling over on its right side. 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. It subsequently experienced a dynamic rollover, coming to rest on its right 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). The student performed three hovering autorotations without incident. On the fourth autorotation, which was to be the last of the flight, the student entered the maneuver properly. The student then made several cyclic input changes and the helicopter touched down on the left skid, resulting in the helicopter bouncing back airborne. The student reacted by inputting left pedal followed with abrupt right forward cyclic movement. The helicopter drifted right and began to pivot around the front portion of the right skid. The CFI assumed authority of the flight controls in attempt to regain directional control. The helicopter rolled over on its right side. The CFI reported no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter prior to impact. The CFI stated that his total flight experience totaled 507.6 hours, of which 279.2 were accumulated while acting in the capacity of a flight instructor. ## Aircraft - Registration: N222MQ (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: Robinson R22 Beta - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 3362 - Engines: Lycoming O-360 Series reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Utah Helicopter - Registered owner: Matt Spitzer/Spitzer Heliopter Leasing Company - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: U77, Spanish Fork, UT - Destination: U77, Spanish Fork, UT - Airport: U77, Spanish Fork-Springville ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Flight instructor; age 29; commercial, flight instructor; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2; flight hours: 508 total, 508 in this make and model, 122 in the last 90 days, 46 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 290° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 30 °F - Altimeter: 29.80 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 20070421004279A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20070421004279A), Apr 21, 2007: Robsin R22BETA, Spanish Fork, UT, Substantial damage. (-23) During hovering autorotation, student misjudged descent, instructor tried to arrest the descent and couldn't stabilize the aircraft, they hit the ground… 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.