# NTSB WPR10CA065: Robinson Helicopter R22 Beta, N505LA, Long Beach, CA, November 25, 2009 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: November 25, 2009, 09:25 local (17:25 UTC) - Place: Long Beach, CA - Coordinates: 33.817779, -118.15139 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.8178&lon=-118.1514&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 23, 2010 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 75096 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR10CA065 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/75096/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=75096 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR10CA065 ## Probable cause The flight instructor's failure to arrest the helicopter's descent and to maintain lateral control during a hovering autorotation practice. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Action: lack of action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Instructor/check pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [All aircraft, 792 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: Simulated/training event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/600); cases with it: [All aircraft, 173 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/600/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090) (defining event); cases with it: [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Dynamic rollover](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/231); cases with it: [All aircraft, 161 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/231/sequence.md) ## Analysis The flight instructor reported that he had successfully completed the demonstration of several flight maneuvers for the student pilot. He configured the helicopter for a hovering autorotation, closed the throttle, and the helicopter subsequently descended in a left skid low attitude. The left skid of the helicopter struck the ground, and the instructor attempted to apply corrective control inputs. The helicopter then rolled onto its left side, causing substantial damage to the fuselage and the main rotor system. The flight instructor reported that the helicopter and engine had no mechanical failures or malfunctions prior to the accident. He further stated that the accident could have been prevented if he applied right cyclic, and right yaw pedal control during the descent, and cushioned the landing by raising the collective control. ## Factual narrative The flight instructor reported that he had successfully completed the demonstration of several flight maneuvers for the student pilot. He configured the helicopter for a hovering autorotation, closed the throttle, and the helicopter subsequently descended in a left skid low attitude. The left skid of the helicopter struck the ground, and the instructor attempted to apply corrective control inputs. The helicopter then rolled onto its left side, causing substantial damage to the fuselage and the main rotor system. The flight instructor reported that the helicopter and engine had no mechanical failures or malfunctions prior to the accident. He further stated that the accident could have been prevented if he applied right cyclic, and right yaw pedal control during the descent, and cushioned the landing by raising the collective control. ## Aircraft - Registration: N505LA (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: ROBINSON HELICOPTER R22 BETA - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 3397 - Engines: LYCOMING O-360 145 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: LGB, Long Beach, CA - Destination: LGB, Long Beach, CA - Airport: LGB, Long Beach, runway 03, 30 × 30 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Flight instructor; age 42; injuries: none; commercial, private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review August 18, 2009; seat: left; flight hours: 661 total, 501 in this make and model, 400 as pilot in command, 69 in the last 90 days, 36 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours - Student pilot; age 42; injuries: none; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; seat: right; flight hours: 2 total, 2 in this make and model, 0 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 25 °F - Altimeter: 30.04 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 20091125022369A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20091125022369A), Nov 25, 2009: Robsin R22BETA, Long Beach, CA, Substantial damage. The CFI was demonstrating an autorotation to the student pilot. The maneuver was performed 30 feet southwest of helipad 3 on Long Beach airport. The CFI stated… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 24, 2009, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=75096. 673 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 673 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40323297&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.