# NTSB LAX08CA016: Robinson R22 Beta, N7188S, Long Beach, CA, October 24, 2007 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: October 24, 2007, 14:00 local (22:00 UTC) - Place: Long Beach, CA - Coordinates: 33.819442, -118.154724 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.8194&lon=-118.1547&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 20, 2007 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 66962 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX08CA016 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/66962/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX08CA016 ## Probable cause The student pilot's improper execution of low rotor rpm procedures. Contributing to the accident was the flight instructor's inadequate supervision, failure to guard the throttle, and failure to take immediate remedial action. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Hard landing, hover - emergency procedure - simulated, pilot in command(cfi) - throttle/power control - improper use of, dual student (cause) - remedial action - delayed, pilot in command(cfi) (contributing factor) - supervision - inadequate, pilot in command(cfi) (contributing factor) ## Analysis The certified flight instructor (CFI) and student were practicing helicopter low rotor rpm recoveries. He instructed his student to execute the recovery when the low rpm warning system activated, both light and horn. Prior to the maneuver, the CFI demonstrated and verified that the student pilot understood the recovery procedure, which was to lower the collective and increase the throttle. The helicopter was in a 10-foot hover when the CFI decreased the rotor rpm by reducing the throttle until the low rpm warning system activated. The student pilot responded by lowering the collective and reducing the throttle instead of increasing the throttle. The helicopter yawed to the left and descended towards the ground. The tail rotor collided with the ground, shearing off the tail rotor blades and the helicopter rotated on the ground. The CFI slowed the rotation and was able to shut down the helicopter. ## Factual narrative On October 24, 2007, about 1400 Pacific standard time, a Robinson R22 Beta, N7188S landed hard on Pad 4 at Long Beach Airport, Long Beach, California. Los Angeles Helicopter operated the helicopter under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The certified flight instructor (CFI) and the student pilot were not injured. The helicopter was substantially damaged. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. The local instructional flight departed Long Beach Airport about 1300. In the Pilot-Operator Aircraft Accident Report, the CFI stated they were practicing low rpm recoveries at Pad 4. He instructed his student to execute the recovery when the low rpm warning system activates: light and horn. Prior to the maneuver, the CFI demonstrated and verified that the student pilot understood the recovery procedure: to lower the collective and increase the throttle. The CFI stated that the helicopter was in a 10-foot hover when he decreased the rotor rpm by reducing the throttle until the low rpm warning system activated. The student pilot responded by lowering the collective and reducing the throttle instead of increasing the throttle. The helicopter yawed to the left and descended towards the ground. The tail rotor collided with the ground, shearing off the tail rotor blades and the helicopter rotated on the ground. The CFI slowed the rotation and was able to shut down the helicopter. The CFI reported the helicopter and engine had no mechanical failures or malfunctions during the flight. According to the Robinson R22 Flight Training Guide, the recovery for low rotor rpm at a hover is to "lower the collective and simultaneously adding throttle. If the rpm cannot be regained prior to ground contact, insure that the helicopter touches down in a level attitude." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7188S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7188S-2009-07-23), registration cancelled 2009-07-23, S/N 3030, built 2000 (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&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 3030 - Engines: Lycoming O-360 reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Los Angeles Helicopter - Registered owner: Spitzer Matthew DBA - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: KLGB, Long Beach, CA - Destination: KLGB, Long Beach, CA - Airport: KLGB, Long Beach, runway H4, 20 × 20 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Flight instructor; age 41; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; medical: class 2; flight hours: 561 total, 457 in this make and model, 136 in the last 90 days, 38 in the last 30 days - Student pilot; injuries: none; student; medical: unknown; flight hours: 0 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 300° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 95 °F, dew point 27 °F - Altimeter: 29.95 inHg - Observed at: LGB ## 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 20071024823879A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20071024823879A), Oct 24, 2007: Robsin R22BETA, Long Beach, CA, Substantial damage. (-23) CFI was giving instruction to a student pilot on low RPM recovery at pad #4. CFI had previously demonstrated this procedure several times to student.… ## Other investigations on N7188S (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 LAX04CA146](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX04CA146), Mar 6, 2004: Robinson R22 Beta (N7188S), Long Beach, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: the student pilot's improper use of the cyclic control and the certified flight instructor's inadequate supervision, which resulted in a rollover. 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.