# NTSB MIA03CA129: Robinson R22 Beta, N7185K, Kissimmee, FL, June 16, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 16, 2003, 16:55 local (20:55 UTC) - Place: Kissimmee, FL - Coordinates: 28.293888, -81.435554 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.2939&lon=-81.4356&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 25, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 57310 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA03CA129 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/57310/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA03CA129 ## Probable cause The inadequate supervision by flight instructor for his failure to prevent incorrect anti-torque pedal input by the student resulting in the helicopter yawing at touchdown. A factor in the accident was the incorrect anti-torque pedal input by the student pilot while performing a practice auto-rotative landing procedure from a hover. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, descent - autorotation - simulated, dual student - tail rotor/anti-torque control - improper use of, dual student (contributing factor) - supervision - inadequate, pilot in command(cfi) (cause) - stall/spin - inadvertent, dual student - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis The CFI stated that his student was having difficulty performing hovering auto-rotations, and they were practicing the maneuver. After about 4 executions of the maneuver, while hovering about 2 feet above the ground at the practice area, the student applied left anti-torque pedal instead of right input when he reduced engine power to begin the maneuver. The CFI later reported he had his right foot over the right anti-torque pedal to confirm correct input by the student, but he was unable to prevent or correct the incorrect input from the student as quickly as he should have done. The helicopter started to spin to the left and while descending, the aft portion of the left skid dug in to the soft soil and the helicopter stopped spinning immediately. A vibration followed the landing; he disengaged the clutch and secured the engine then exited the helicopter. Post accident inspection of the helicopter by him revealed the tail boom was substantially damaged. The student pilot stated that he was practicing the autorotation maneuver at the practice area with his flight instructor. On his third or fourth attempt of performing the maneuver, the helicopter spun to the left and contacted the ground. His instructor later told him that he applied left anti-torque pedal instead of right pedal causing the helicopter to spin to the left at an unusual rate in autorotation. ## Factual narrative On June 16, 2003, about 1655 eastern daylight time, a Robinson R22 BETA, N7185K, operated by Orlando Flight Training and registered to an individual, touched down while yawing during an instructional flight near Kissimmee, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the local instructional flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. The helicopter was substantially damaged, and the certified flight instructor (CFI) and student pilot were not injured. There were no injuries to anyone on the ground. The flight was originating at the time of occurrence. The CFI stated that his student was having difficulty performing hovering auto-rotations, and they were practicing the maneuver. After about four executions of the maneuver, while hovering about 2 feet above the ground at the practice area, the student applied left anti-torque pedal instead of right input when he reduced engine power to begin the maneuver. The CFI later reported he had his right foot over the right anti-torque pedal to confirm correct input by the student, but he was unable to prevent or correct the incorrect input from the student as quickly as he should have done. The helicopter started to spin to the left and while descending, the aft portion of the left skid dug in to the soft soil and the helicopter stopped spinning immediately. A vibration followed the landing; he disengaged the clutch and secured the engine then exited the helicopter. Postaccident inspection of the helicopter by him revealed the tail boom was substantially damaged. The student pilot stated that he was practicing the autorotation maneuver at the practice area with his flight instructor. On his third or fourth attempt of performing the maneuver, the helicopter spun to the left and contacted the ground. His flight instructor later told him that he applied left anti-torque pedal instead of right pedal, causing the helicopter to spin to the left at an unusual rate in autorotation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7185K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7185K-2013-11-06), registration cancelled 2013-11-06, S/N 2981, built 1999 (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 0-360-C1F](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-360-c1f) (registry code 41573, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 2981 - Airframe hours: 1056 - Engines: Avco Lycoming O-360-C1F 124 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Orlando Flight Training - Registered owner: Matthew Spitzer - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 3, 2003, 60 hours before - Departed: KISM - Destination: KISM - Airport: KISM, Kissimmee ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Flight instructor; age 36; injuries: serious; flight instructor; medical: class 2; flight hours: 328 total, 283 in this make and model, 105 in the last 90 days, 73 in the last 30 days - Student pilot; age 23; student; medical: class 3; flight hours: 14 total, 14 in this make and model, 14 in the last 90 days, 14 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 6 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 84 °F ## 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 20030616027399A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030616027399A), Jun 16, 2003: Robsin R22BETA, Kissimmee, FL, Substantial damage. (-23) On June 16 2003 N7185K touched down while yawing on an instructional flight. The student was having difficulty performing hovering autorotations. During… ## Other investigations on N7185K (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 NYC07CA132](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC07CA132), Jun 11, 2007: Robinson R-22B (N7185K), Plant City, FL, substantial damage. Probable cause: The student pilot's failure to maintain directional control. Factors in the accident were variable wind conditions, and soft/uneven terrain. 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.