# NTSB NYC07CA132: Robinson R-22B, N7185K, Plant City, FL, June 11, 2007 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 11, 2007, 13:30 local (17:30 UTC) - Place: Plant City, FL - Coordinates: 28.000278, -82.164169 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.0003&lon=-82.1642&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 30, 2007 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 65934 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC07CA132 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/65934/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC07CA132 ## Probable cause The student pilot's failure to maintain directional control. Factors in the accident were variable wind conditions, and soft/uneven terrain. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, hover - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - weather condition - variable wind (contributing factor) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - autorotation - performed, pilot in command - Roll over, landing - flare/touchdown - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor) - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor) ## Analysis The accident flight, in a Robinson R-22B helicopter, was the student pilot's second solo flight. According to the pilot, PCM was only "about five minutes" flying time from LAL, and that the only weather information he obtained was from the LAL ATIS. As he approached the PCM runway 28 threshold, he pulled up on the collective to stop the forward travel. At the same time, he pushed on the left pedal, but the helicopter began to rotate to the right. He then applied full left pedal, but was unsuccessful at stopping the rotation. After approximately six to seven revolutions, the pilot executed an autorotation. The helicopter "landed softly" but continued to rotate. The right skid caught in the dirt, and the helicopter rolled onto its right side. The pilot stated that just after he exited the helicopter, the wind increased and a heavy rain began. The 1325 PCM weather observation recorded the wind from 280 degrees at 6 knots, with gusts to 14 knots, and the 1345 observation recorded the wind from 290 degrees at 7 knots, with no gusts. The pilot reported he did not experience any preimpact failures or malfunctions with the helicopter. ## Factual narrative The accident flight, in a Robinson R-22B helicopter, was the student pilot's second solo flight. The accident occurred at approximately 1345 eastern daylight time while landing at Plant City Municipal Airport (PCM), Plant City, Florida, after a flight from the pilot's home base of Lakeland Linder Regional airport (LAL), Lakeland, Florida. According to the pilot, PCM was only "about five minutes" flying time from LAL, and that the only weather information he obtained was from the LAL ATIS. As he approached the PCM runway 28 threshold, he pulled up on the collective to stop the forward travel. At the same time, he pushed on the left pedal, but the helicopter began to rotate to the right. He then applied full left pedal, but was unsuccessful at stopping the rotation. After approximately six to seven revolutions, the pilot executed an autorotation. The helicopter "landed softly" but continued to rotate. The right skid caught in the dirt, and the helicopter rolled onto its right side. The pilot stated that just after he exited the helicopter, the wind increased and a heavy rain began. The 1325 PCM weather observation recorded the wind from 280 degrees at 6 knots, with gusts to 14 knots, and the 1345 observation recorded the wind from 290 degrees at 7 knots, with no gusts. The pilot reported he did not experience any preimpact failures or malfunctions with the helicopter. ## 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 R-22B - 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 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-C1F 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Matthew Spitzer - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: LAL, Lakeland, FL - Destination: PCM, Plant City, FL - Airport: PCM, Plant City Municipal, runway 28, 3,950 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Student pilot; age 45; injuries: none; student; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; seat: right; flight hours: 31 total, 31 in this make and model, 31 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 280° at 6 knots, gusting 14 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 4,700 ft broken - Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 75 °F - Altimeter: 29.98 inHg - Observed at: PCM ## 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 20070611009229A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20070611009229A), Jun 11, 2007: Robsin R22BETA, Plant City, FL, Substantial damage. (-23) On June 11, 2007 at 1330 hours eastern daylight time, a Robinson R-22-beta helicopter, N7185K, registered to [privacy data omitted] and operated by… ## 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 MIA03CA129](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA03CA129), Jun 16, 2003: Robinson R22 Beta (N7185K), Kissimmee, FL, substantial damage. 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… 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.