# NTSB LAX93LA147: Robinson R-22 Beta, N4072T, Folsom, CA, March 12, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 11, 1993, 16:43 local (Mar 12, 1993, 00:43 UTC)
- Place: Folsom, CA
- Coordinates: 38.669342, -121.139076 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.6693&lon=-121.1391&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 10, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27944
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX93LA147
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27944/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX93LA147

## Probable cause

THE STUDENT PILOT'S EXCESSIVE RATE OF DESCENT DURING A APPROACH FOR LANDING, IMPROPER REMEDIAL ACTION TO ARREST THE RATE OF DESCENT, AND A FAILURE TO MAINTAIN PROPER MAIN ROTOR RPM.  THE STUDENT PILOT'S LACK OF TOTAL AERONAUTICAL EXPERIENCE WAS A FACTOR IN THIS ACCIDENT.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - proper descent rate - excessive, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - remedial action - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - rotor rpm - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- Roll over, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PILOT WAS PRACTICING TAKEOFF AND LANDINGS IN THE LOCAL PRACTICE AREA. ON THE NINTH APPROACH, THE HELICOPTER DEVELOPED A HIGH RATE OF DESCENT AND A STEEP APPROACH ANGLE. THE STUDENT FLARED AND APPLIED POWER TO ARREST THE DESCENT. THE MAIN ROTOR RPM DECAYED AND THE HELICOPTER LANDED HARD AND BOUNCED INTO THE AIR. THE HELICOPTER ROLLED OVER ON THE SECOND TOUCHDOWN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4072T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4072T-2003-09-19), registration cancelled 2003-09-19, S/N 1747, built 1991 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ROBINSON R-22 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: 1747
- Airframe hours: 1049
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-B2C 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Sunrise Air
- Registered owner: Marsh Bagg Enterprises Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, February 17, 1993, 57 hours before
- Departed: RANCHO CORDOVA, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; student; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 27 total, 27 in this make and model, 27 in the last 90 days, 14 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 330° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MHR, 10 nm away

## 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 19930311004959A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930311004959A), Mar 11, 1993: Robsin R22BETA, Folsom, CA, Substantial damage. High steep approach flared. Rotor RPM decayed. Landed hard bounced into air. Rolled over on second touchdown.

## Other investigations on N4072T (2)

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 LAX02LA213](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX02LA213), Jul 2, 2002: Robinson R22 Beta (N4072T), Chatsworth, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's inadequate flare resulting in rotor blade contact with the ground. Contributing factors were the high altitude and the airframe vibration for an undetermined reason.
- [NTSB LAX00LA079](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX00LA079), Jan 22, 2000: Robinson R22B (N4072T), Piru, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: Failure of the pilot to maintain control after encountering a dynamic 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.

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