# NTSB SEA07CA193: Robinson R 22 Beta, N457SH, Long Beach, CA, July 3, 2007 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 3, 2007, 07:33 local (14:33 UTC) - Place: Long Beach, CA - Coordinates: 33.817779, -118.15139 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.8178&lon=-118.1514&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (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): 66114 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA07CA193 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/66114/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA07CA193 ## Probable cause The student pilot's improper use of the throttle and cyclic, and the certified flight instructor's inadequate supervision, which resulted in the collision with terrain. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - emergency procedure - simulated, pilot in command(cfi) - throttle/power control - improper use of, dual student (cause) - cyclic - improper use of, dual student (cause) - supervision - inadequate, pilot in command(cfi) (cause) - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis The certified flight instructor (CFI) and student pilot were practicing hover autorotations. The CFI noted that the student had expressed difficulty with sufficient pedal inputs in the past, and the helicopter would yaw excessively to the left. The CFI demonstrated the maneuver to the student, showing him to establish the helicopter in a 2-foot hover, look outside and pick a reference point to maintain heading, position his hand on the throttle to roll it off, and as throttle is rolled off, prepare to apply right pedal to counteract the left yaw. The student pilot then assumed the controls and configured the helicopter for the hovering autorotation. The CFI had his left hand on the collective, his right hand on the cyclic, and his feet were guarding the pedals. The student counted down, "three, two, one…" and rolled the throttle on while adding right pedal. The helicopter yawed hard and fast to the right and the student pulled aft cyclic. The CFI attempted to regain control of the helicopter; however, the tail cone contacted the ground and the helicopter came to rest on its left side. The CFI stated that there were no mechanical malfunctions with the helicopter, prior to the accident. ## Factual narrative The certified flight instructor (CFI) and student pilot were practicing hover autorotations. The CFI noted that the student had expressed difficulty with sufficient pedal inputs in the past, and the helicopter would yaw excessively to the left. The CFI demonstrated the maneuver to the student, showing him to establish the helicopter in a 2-foot hover, look outside and pick a reference point to maintain heading, position his hand on the throttle to roll it off, and as throttle is rolled off, prepare to apply right pedal to counteract the left yaw. The student pilot then assumed the controls and configured the helicopter for the hovering autorotation. The CFI had his left hand on the collective, his right hand on the cyclic, and his feet were guarding the pedals. The student counted down, "three, two, one…" and rolled the throttle on while adding right pedal. The helicopter yawed hard and fast to the right and the student pulled aft cyclic. The CFI attempted to regain control of the helicopter; however, the tail cone contacted the ground and the helicopter came to rest on its left side. The CFI stated that there were no mechanical malfunctions with the helicopter, prior to the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N457SH](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N457SH-2012-08-23), registration cancelled 2012-08-23, S/N 4029, built 2006 (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 O-360-J2A](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-360-j2a) (registry code 42314, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 4029 - Engines: Textron Lycoming O-360 reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Silver State Helicopters LLC - Registered owner: Silver State Helicopters LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: LGB, Long Beach, CA - Destination: LGB, Long Beach, CA - Airport: LGB, Long Beach Airport ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Flight instructor; age 32; flight instructor, commercial; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 1; flight hours: 1,118 total, 1,099 in this make and model, 293 in the last 90 days, 110 in the last 30 days - Student pilot; age 53; student; medical: class 2; flight hours: 60 total, 60 in this make and model, 13 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 8 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 61 °F - Altimeter: 29.94 inHg - Observed at: LGB ## 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 20070703011239A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20070703011239A), Jul 3, 2007: Robsin R22BETA, Long Beach, CA, Substantial damage. (-23) The pilot stated that he was giving dual instruction to a student. He said that he and the student had previously conducted various maneuvers and that… 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.