# NTSB WPR09CA377: Robinson Helicopter R22 Beta, N8340S, Troutdale, OR, July 27, 2009 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 27, 2009, 08:50 local (15:50 UTC) - Place: Troutdale, OR - Coordinates: 45.549167, -122.401107 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.5492&lon=-122.4011&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Emergency descent](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/600) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Autorotation: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 19, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 74407 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR09CA377 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/74407/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74407 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR09CA377 ## Probable cause The student pilot's improper use of the collective control and the flight instructor’s delayed reaction to the student pilot’s incorrect control inputs. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Action: delayed action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Instructor/check pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA, 35 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md?model=7640110), [All aircraft, 894 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md) - [Flight control system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022700): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022700/cases.md?model=7640110), [All aircraft, 65 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022700/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Student/instructed pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA, 96 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7640110), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Autorotation: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092) (defining event); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA, 54 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=7640110), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md) ## Analysis The flight instructor reported that he was conducting a lesson on autorotation landings. After completing several autorotations with the student pilot, the flight instructor demonstrated three autorotation landings from a hover. On the student’s first attempt at the maneuver, the instructor reported that the student lowered the collective control instead of raising it. The flight instructor took control of the helicopter and applied up collective to help slow the descent rate. The helicopter began to yaw to the left. The helicopter landed on its left rear skid and bounced as it began to roll to the left. The instructor applied full right cyclic control to level the helicopter before touching back down on both skids. The bounced landing resulted in structural damage to the lower frame of the helicopter. The flight instructor reported no mechanical anomalies with the helicopter and associated flight control systems. The flight instructor stated that he anticipated that the student may apply down collective; however, his reaction time was not enough to counter the student’s control inputs. ## Factual narrative The flight instructor reported that he was conducting a lesson on autorotation landings. After completing several autorotations with the student pilot, the flight instructor demonstrated three autorotation landings from a hover. On the student’s first attempt at the maneuver, the instructor reported that the student lowered the collective control instead of raising it. The flight instructor took control of the helicopter and applied up collective to help slow the descent rate. The helicopter began to yaw to the left. The helicopter landed on its left rear skid and bounced as it began to roll to the left. The instructor applied full right cyclic control to level the helicopter before touching back down on both skids. The bounced landing resulted in structural damage to the lower frame of the helicopter. The flight instructor reported no mechanical anomalies with the helicopter and associated flight control systems. The flight instructor stated that he anticipated that the student may apply down collective; however, his reaction time was not enough to counter the student’s control inputs. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8340S](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8340S), registered now, S/N 2640, built 1996 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: ROBINSON HELICOPTER R22 BETA - 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: 2640 - Airframe hours: 4786 - Engines: LYCOMING O&VO-360 SER 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Hillsboro Avaition Inc - Registered owner: Hillsboro Avaition Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Unknown, July 7, 2009, 81 hours before - Departed: KTTD, Troutdale, OR - Destination: KTTD, Troutdale, OR - Airport: KTTD, Portland-Troutdale, runway 25, 5,399 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Flight instructor; age 32; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review October 7, 2008; seat: left; flight hours: 516 total, 362 in this make and model, 412 as pilot in command, 79 in the last 90 days, 35 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours - Student pilot; age 21; injuries: none; student; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; seat: right; flight hours: 19 total, 19 in this make and model, 0 as pilot in command, 19 in the last 90 days, 19 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 63 °F - Altimeter: 30.05 inHg - Observed at: KTTD ## 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 20090727013249A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20090727013249A), Jul 27, 2009: Robsin R22BETA, Portland, OR, Substantial damage. While performing instruction under CFR part 141, a simulated autorotation was initiated. The maneuver concluded with the helicopter experiencing a hard… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 11, 2009, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74407. 927 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 927 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40317471&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF 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.