# NTSB SEA07CA205: Robinson R22, N707WH, Bend, OR, July 17, 2007

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: July 17, 2007, 15:20 local (22:20 UTC)
- Place: Bend, OR
- Coordinates: 44.094722, -121.200553
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.0947&lon=-121.2006&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
- NTSB case key (mKey): 66246
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA07CA205
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/66246/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA07CA205

## Probable cause

An excessive descent rate during a simulated power-off autorotation, and the pilot's failure to initiate corrective action in time to keep the helicopter from impacting the terrain.

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - descent - excessive, pilot in command (cause)
  - remedial action - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - ground

## Analysis

After completing five or six successful simulated power-off autorotations, the pilot entered an autorotation in which he allowed the helicopter's descent rate to become excessive. Although he attempted to take corrective action, he did not do so in time to keep the aircraft from contacting an asphalt surface with sufficient force to result in substantial damage to the helicopter's airframe.

## Factual narrative

After completing five or six successful simulated power-off autorotations, the pilot entered an autorotation in which he allowed the helicopter's descent rate to become excessive. Although he attempted to take corrective action, he did not do so in time to keep the aircraft from contacting an asphalt surface with sufficient force to result in substantial damage to the helicopter's airframe.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N707WH](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N707WH-2020-05-29), registration cancelled 2020-05-29, S/N 2814 (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 O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 2814
- Engines: Lycoming O-360-J2A reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Leading Edge Aviation
- Registered owner: Toy Chest LLC
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: KRDN, Bend, OR
- Destination: KBDN, Bend, OR
- Airport: KBDN, Bend Municipal Airport, runway 34

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 26; flight instructor, commercial; medical: class 2; flight hours: 485 total, 400 in this make and model, 200 in the last 90 days, 70 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 340° at 10 knots
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °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 20070717013379A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20070717013379A), Jul 17, 2007: Robsin R22BETA, Bend, OR, Substantial damage. (-23) After the sixth practice autorotation, aircraft landed hard at the termination of a 180 degree left-hand autorotation. Pilot stated that the aircraft…

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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