# NTSB LAX08CA182: Robinson R44 II, N272SW, Missoula, MT, June 14, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 14, 2008, 11:45 local (17:45 UTC) - Place: Missoula, MT - Coordinates: 46.916389, -114.090553 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.9164&lon=-114.0906&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report July 30, 2008 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 68228 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX08CA182 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/68228/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX08CA182 ## Probable cause The student's inadvertent control interference, which the flight instructor was unable to overcome. A contributing factor was the instructor's poor crew coordination in his failure to verbally command the student to relinquish the controls and his inadequate supervision of the flight. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Student/instructed pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44 II, 99 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7640122), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: use of equip/system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015): Personnel issues › Task performance · Instructor/check pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44 II, 14 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md?model=7640122), [All aircraft, 1,391 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md) - [Communication (personnel): lack of communication](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063510): Personnel issues › Task performance · Instructor/check pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44 II, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063510/cases.md?model=7640122), [All aircraft, 84 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063510/cases.md) - [Communication (personnel): issuing instructions](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063538): Personnel issues › Task performance · Instructor/check pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44 II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063538/cases.md?model=7640122), [All aircraft, 26 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063538/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092) (defining event); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44 II, 40 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=7640122), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Roll over](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/097); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R44 II, 14 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/097/sequence.md?model=7640122), [All aircraft, 261 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/097/sequence.md) ## Analysis The flight instructor was having the student practice landing approaches. With an airspeed of 60 to 65 knots, the student initiated a left base turn, lowering the collective, and adding aft cyclic for a normal approach to an open field. During the turn, the instructor noted that the helicopter was descending faster than anticipated, and that "the collective was too far down, the cyclic was too far back, and [the student] had a tight hold on both controls." The instructor attempted to regain control but could not move the collective or cyclic due to the student's grip on the controls. The instructor said that no words were spoken as he struggled with the student for control of the helicopter for a period of 3 to 4 seconds. The helicopter landed hard, rolled onto its left side, and instantly caught on fire. Both occupants exited the right door. The helicopter was destroyed by fire. ## Factual narrative The flight instructor was having the student practice landing approaches. With an airspeed of 60 to 65 knots, the student initiated a left base turn, lowering the collective, and adding aft cyclic for a normal approach to an open field. During the turn, the instructor noted that the helicopter was descending faster than anticipated, and that "the collective was too far down, the cyclic was too far back, and [the student] had a tight hold on both controls." The instructor attempted to regain control but could not move the collective or cyclic due to the student's grip on the controls. The instructor said that no words were spoken as he struggled with the student for control of the helicopter for a period of 3 to 4 seconds. The helicopter landed hard, rolled onto its left side, and instantly caught on fire. Both occupants exited the right door. The helicopter was destroyed by fire. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N272SW](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N272SW-2013-07-08), registration cancelled 2013-07-08, S/N 10817, built 2005 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Robinson R44 II - Registry model: [Robinson Helicopter R44 II](https://openairdocs.org/model/robinson-helicopter-r44-ii) (registry code 7640122) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-540-series) (registry code 41530, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 10817 - Engines: Lycoming IO-540 reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Mission Mountain Helicopters - Registered owner: Summit Cabin Holdings - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: MSO, Missoula, MT - Destination: MSO - Flight plan: Company VFR - Airport: MSO, Missoula International ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Flight instructor; age 52; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2; flight hours: 449 total, 289 in this make and model, 112 in the last 90 days, 84 in the last 30 days - Student pilot; age 42; flight hours: 4 total, 4 in this make and model, 4 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 300° at 8 knots, gusting 14 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 70 °F - Altimeter: 30.06 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 20080614837269A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080614837269A), Jun 14, 2008: Robsin R44RAVENII, Missoula, MT, Destroyed. (-23) Both student (who had approximately 4 hours flight time) and instructor reported that while making approach to landing, the student froze on the controls… 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.