- Date
- November 20, 2007, 14:45 local (22:45 UTC)
- Place
- Ramona, CA
- Injuries
- 1 serious, 1 uninjured
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Phase of flight
- Landing
- Aircraft
- N463SHRobinson R22 Beta
- Weather
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Status
- Completed · report December 20, 2007
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- Parties
- San Diego, California
- FAA report
- 20071120827139A
- Case key
- 67140
From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.
On this page
Probable cause
The NTSB’s determination of the probable cause, and any contributing factors.
An excessive descent rate during a simulated 180-degree power-off autorotation, and the flight instructor's failure to initiate corrective action in time to keep the helicopter from impacting the terrain.
Analysis
While demonstrating a practice 180-degree autorotation to landing, the certified flight instructor allowed the helicopter to develop an excessive descent rate and low rotor rpm, which resulted in a hard landing. Although he attempted to take corrective action, he did not do so in time to keep the helicopter from contacting the asphalt surface with sufficient force to result in substantial damage to the helicopters airframe. Examination of the helicopter revealed no mechanical anomalies.
Factual narrative
While demonstrating a practice 180-degree autorotation to landing, the certified flight instructor allowed the helicopter to develop an excessive descent rate and low rotor rpm, which resulted in a hard landing. Although he attempted to take corrective action, he did not do so in time to keep the helicopter from contacting the asphalt surface with sufficient force to result in substantial damage to the helicopters airframe. Examination of the helicopter revealed no mechanical anomalies.
Sequence of events
NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.
Aircraft
- Registration
- N463SH
- Reported as
- Robinson R22 Beta
- Category
- Helicopter
- Serial number
- 4038
- Airframe hours
- 1,858.3
- Engine
- Lycoming O-360-J2A, 124 horsepower, reciprocating
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Instructional · Part 91
- Operator
- Silver State Helicopters
- Registered owner
- Siler State Helicopter
- Airworthiness certificate
- Standard, Normal
- Last inspection
- 100 hour · November 1, 2007 · 31.4 hours before
- Departed
- SEE · El Cajon, CA
- Destination
- RNM · Ramona, CA
- Airport
- RMN · Ramona Airport
Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.
Flight crew · 2
As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.
- Role
- Flight instructor
- Age
- 30
- Injuries
- None
- Certificates
- Commercial, Flight instructor
- Instrument ratings
- Helicopter
- Medical
- Class 2, Without waivers/limitations
- Last flight review
- September 1, 2006
- Seat
- Right
- Flight hours
- 920 total · 870 in this make and model · 850 as pilot in command · 149 in the last 90 days · 27 in the last 30 days · 3 in the last 24 hours
- Role
- Student pilot
- Age
- 29
- Injuries
- Serious
- Certificate
- Commercial
- Instrument ratings
- Helicopter
- Seat
- Left
- Flight hours
- 250 total
Weather
- Conditions
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Wind
- 290° at 6 knots
- Visibility
- 4 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling
- None
- Temperature
- 61 °F
- Altimeter
- 29.95 inHg
FAA reports on this event · 1
The FAA’s own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date.