# NTSB LAX07CA247: Robinson R22 Beta, N10QD, Chino, CA, August 10, 2007 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 10, 2007, 15:25 local (22:25 UTC) - Place: Chino, CA - Coordinates: 33.974445, -117.63639 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.9744&lon=-117.6364&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 31, 2007 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 66436 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX07CA247 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/66436/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX07CA247 ## Probable cause The private pilot's failure to maintain the proper airspeed and main rotor rpm, which resulted in a high rate of descent and subsequent hard landing. Also causal was the certificated flight instructor's delayed remedial action. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown - autorotation - initiated, dual student - airspeed - not maintained, dual student (cause) - rotor rpm - not maintained, dual student (cause) - supervision - inadequate, pilot in command(cfi) (cause) ## Analysis The helicopter landed hard during a practice autorotation maneuver. Following the private pilot's unsuccessful attempt at a 180-degree autorotation, the certificated flight instructor instructed him to perform the maneuver again. The private pilot entered the autorotation and as the descent proceeded, he utilized the collective to maintain the rotor revolutions per minute (rpm) within the normal operating range. Through the turn, the instructor noticed that the helicopter was gradually assuming a nose-low attitude. The instructor advised the student to level the helicopter and continue to maneuver through the turn. The instructor subsequently assumed authority of the flight controls and the helicopter continued to descend through 100 feet above ground level (agl). The helicopter was at an airspeed of 40 knots and vibrating with the low rotor warning horn sounding when the instructor leveled the helicopter as it simultaneously contacted the ground. The helicopter touched down hard and slid on its belly to the edge of the runway surface. The instructor reported no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airframe or engine prior to the accident. He stated that the accident may have been prevented if he had assumed authority of the controls earlier in the maneuver. ## Factual narrative The helicopter experienced a hard landing during a practice autorotation maneuver. In a written statement, the certificated flight instructor (CFI) reported that the purpose of the flight was to provide the private pilot training toward receiving his commercial license. The private pilot made several approaches to the active runway including straight-in autorotation maneuvers. Following an unsuccessful attempt at a 180-degree autorotation, the CFI instructed the private pilot to perform the maneuver again. The private pilot entered the autorotation with the helicopter configured at an airspeed of 75 knots. As the descent proceeded, the private pilot utilized the collective to maintain the rotor revolutions per minute (rpm) within the normal operating range. Through the turn, the CFI noticed that the helicopter was gradually assuming a nose-low attitude, with the airspeed increasing past 70 knots. The CFI advised the student to level the helicopter and continue to maneuver through the turn. As the helicopter descended through 300 feet above ground level (agl), the airframe began to vibrate and develop a high sink rate. The CFI assumed authority of the flight controls and the helicopter continued to descend through 100 feet agl. Configured at an airspeed of 40 knots, with a continuous vibration, the low-rotor rpm warning began to sound. The CFI leveled the helicopter while it simultaneously contacted the ground. The helicopter touched down hard and slid on its belly to the edge of the runway surface. The CFI reported no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airframe or engine prior to the accident. He further stated that the accident may have been prevented if he had assumed authority of the controls earlier in the maneuver. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N10QD](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N10QD-2009-11-13), registration cancelled 2009-11-13, S/N 3526, built 2003 (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 O-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-360-series) (registry code 41575, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 3526 - Airframe hours: 3748 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-J2A reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Registered owner: Silver State Helicopters LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, August 1, 2007, 1 hours before - Departed: CNO, Chino, CA - Destination: CNO, Chino, CA - Airport: KCNO, Chino Airport, runway 26L, 7,000 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Flight instructor; age 24; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review August 1, 2006; seat: left; flight hours: 602 total, 573 in this make and model, 570 as pilot in command, 252 in the last 90 days, 81 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours - Student pilot; age 31; injuries: none; private; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review December 1, 2006; seat: rear; flight hours: 166 total, 141 in this make and model, 108 as pilot in command, 68 in the last 90 days, 21 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 240° at 13 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 57 °F - Altimeter: 29.88 inHg - Observed at: CNO ## 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 20070810021369A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20070810021369A), Aug 10, 2007: Robsin R22BETA, Chino, CA, Substantial damage. (-23) While accomplishing 180 degree autorotations to a power recovery, the helicopter attained a descent rate that could not be adequately controlled… 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.