# NTSB SEA08CA208: Robinson R22 Beta II, N926EL, Flagstaff, AZ, September 24, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: September 24, 2008, 15:30 local (21:30 UTC) - Place: Flagstaff, AZ - Coordinates: 35.138332, -111.671112 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.1383&lon=-111.6711&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 10, 2008 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 68989 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA08CA208 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/68989/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA08CA208 ## Probable cause The pilot's decision to attempt a takeoff in a high density altitude high gross weight condition that exceeded the takeoff performance capability of the helicopter. The pilot's failure to maintain adequate rotor rpm was also causal. Contributing factors were the high density altitude and the uneven high elevation terrain. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: prop/rotor parameters](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062052): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA, 37 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062052/cases.md?model=7640110), [All aircraft, 182 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062052/cases.md) - [Aircraft capability: climb capability](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061010): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Capability exceeded (probable cause); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061010/cases.md?model=7640110), [All aircraft, 183 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061010/cases.md) - [Temp/humidity/pressure: high density altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031020): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on equipment (probable cause); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031020/cases.md?model=7640110), [All aircraft, 278 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031020/cases.md) - [Terrain: sloped/uneven terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021017): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome (probable cause); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021017/cases.md?model=7640110), [All aircraft, 270 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021017/cases.md) - [Terrain: high elevation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021025): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome (probable cause); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021025/cases.md?model=7640110), [All aircraft, 16 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021025/cases.md) - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA, 17 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=7640110), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Initial climb: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=7640110), [All aircraft, 1,127 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md) - [Initial climb: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA, 67 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=7640110), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Uncontrolled descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA, 85 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7640110), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that due to the density altitude and the weight of the helicopter, he could not gain sufficient airspeed during the takeoff to climb. As the helicopter approached a tree line he initiated a left turn to avoid the trees after receiving a "low rotor" rpm warning. The pilot lowered collective and added throttle just before impacting rough, uneven terrain, which resulted in substantial damage to the helicopter. The pilot stated, "…it [the helicopter] was just too heavy and it was too hot, and the terrain was not level for a run on landing." The density altitude at the time of the accident was calculated to be 10,612 feet. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that due to the density altitude and the weight of the helicopter, he could not gain sufficient airspeed during the takeoff to climb. As the helicopter approached a tree line he initiated a left turn to avoid the trees after receiving a "low rotor" rpm warning. The pilot lowered collective and added throttle just before impacting rough, uneven terrain, which resulted in substantial damage to the helicopter. The pilot stated, "…it [the helicopter] was just too heavy and it was too hot, and the terrain was not level for a run on landing." The density altitude at the time of the accident was calculated to be 10,612 feet. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N926EL](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N926EL-2020-12-04), registration cancelled 2020-12-04, S/N 3085, built 2000 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Robinson R22 Beta II - 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: 3085 - Airframe hours: 957.2 - Engines: Lycoming O-320 reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Richard R Snure - Registered owner: Richard R Snure - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, September 20, 2008, 7.4 hours before - Departed: Flagstaff, AZ - Destination: Flagstaff, AZ ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 60; injuries: none; commercial; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review April 10, 2008; seat: right; flight hours: 2,500 total, 2,500 in this make and model, 2,400 as pilot in command, 150 in the last 90 days, 75 in the last 30 days, 7 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 10 statute miles - 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 20080924852019A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080924852019A), Sep 24, 2008: Robsin R22BETA, Flagstaff, AZ, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot herding cattle, landed on a mountain top to talk to a cowboy. Crashed into trees trying to takeoff. At 8000 feet MSL, aircraft had 28 gallons of… 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.