# NTSB SEA07CA180: Robinson R22, N980SM, Tucson, AZ, June 25, 2007 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 25, 2007, 13:25 local (20:25 UTC) - Place: Tucson, AZ - Coordinates: 32.115833, -110.940834 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.1158&lon=-110.9408&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 31, 2007 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 66067 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA07CA180 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/66067/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA07CA180 ## Probable cause The certified flight instructor's inadequate supervision of the practice autorotation. Contributing factors included the terrain drop off and the failure of the pilot undergoing instruction to maintain adequate rotor rpm. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - autorotation - initiated, pilot in command - weather condition - temperature,high - rotor rpm - not maintained, dual student (contributing factor) - terrain condition - drop-off/descending embankment (contributing factor) - supervision - inadequate, pilot in command(cfi) (cause) ## Analysis The certified flight instructor (CFI) and private pilot undergoing instruction were conducting 180-degree autorotations in a helicopter. The accident happened on the third autorotation. The CFI stated that the entry and glide into the autorotation were uneventful. During the flare portion, sufficient rotor revolutions per minute (rpm) were not produced, and the low rotor rpm light and horn activated. The helicopter was leveled and a run on landing was performed. According to the CFI, the helicopter was not over the intended hard surface for landing. During the attempted run on landing, the helicopter ran over a 3-foot drop off and came to rest on its left side. The CFI did not report any mechanical malfunctions. The temperature at the time of the accident was reported as 39 degrees Celsius. ## Factual narrative The certified flight instructor (CFI) and private pilot undergoing instruction were conducting 180-degree autorotations in a helicopter. The accident happened on the third autorotation. The CFI stated that the entry and glide into the autorotation were uneventful. During the flare portion, sufficient rotor revolutions per minute (rpm) were not produced, and the low rotor rpm light and horn activated. The helicopter was leveled and a run on landing was performed. According to the CFI, the helicopter was not over the intended hard surface for landing. During the attempted run on landing, the helicopter ran over a 3-foot drop off and came to rest on its left side. The CFI did not report any mechanical malfunctions. The temperature at the time of the accident was reported as 39 degrees Celsius. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N980SM](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N980SM-2008-10-08), registration cancelled 2008-10-08, S/N 1980, built 1991 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Robinson R22 - 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: 1980 - Engines: Textron Lycoming O-320-B2C reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Voyager Helicopters - Registered owner: New World Aviation LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: TUS, Tucson, AZ - Airport: TUS, Tucson Int'l ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Flight instructor; age 43; commercial, flight instructor; medical: class 2; flight hours: 745 total, 650 in this make and model, 166 in the last 90 days, 49 in the last 30 days - Student pilot; age 40; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2; flight hours: 225 total, 152 in this make and model, 47 in the last 90 days, 21 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 280° at 10 knots, gusting 14 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 102 °F, dew point 21 °F - Altimeter: 29.95 inHg - Observed at: TUS ## 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 20070625017589A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20070625017589A), Jun 25, 2007: Robsin R22BETA, Tucson, AZ, Substantial damage. (-23)While conducting flight to ready pilot for regulatory check ride, the pilot [privacy data omitted] had sucessfully performed a couple of 180… 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.