# NTSB WPR10CA278: Robinson R22, N7028U, La Verne, CA, June 5, 2010 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 5, 2010, 10:40 local (17:40 UTC) - Place: La Verne, CA - Coordinates: 34.091667, -117.781944 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.0917&lon=-117.7819&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 22, 2010 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: FAA Los Angeles FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 76218 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR10CA278 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/76218/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=76218 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR10CA278 ## Probable cause A loss of engine power due to the pilot's inadvertent movement of the mixture control. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: use of equip/system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA, 16 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md?model=7640110), [All aircraft, 1,391 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md) - [Engine controls: mixture control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057602): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057602/cases.md?model=7640110), [All aircraft, 41 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057602/cases.md) - [Attention/monitoring: attention](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021510): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021510/cases.md?model=7640110), [All aircraft, 226 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021510/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) (defining event); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA, 18 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=7640110), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Landing: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092); 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) - [Landing: Roll over](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/097); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA, 21 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/097/sequence.md?model=7640110), [All aircraft, 261 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/097/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot stated that during approach he noticed the trim was still on. He reached down to turn it off by feel while he was visually focused outside the helicopter and concentrating on the approach. The pilot reported that the trim knob was stuck in the "up" position and he applied increasing pressure until it moved. He said that while focused on the approach, he "blindly checked the status of the trim knob," and that he "unintentionally and without explanation pulled the mixture control up." The pilot reported that the engine instantly turned off and the low rotor RPM system activated, followed by the pilot entering an autorotation. The engine stopped at a height of approximately 50 feet above ground level (agl) and that the helicopter touched down in the dirt and rolled onto the pilot's side. The pilot reported no mechanical failures or malfunctions prior to the accident. ## Factual narrative The pilot stated that during approach he noticed the trim was still on. He reached down to turn it off by feel while he was visually focused outside the helicopter and concentrating on the approach. The pilot reported that the trim knob was stuck in the "up" position and he applied increasing pressure until it moved. He said that while focused on the approach, he "blindly checked the status of the trim knob," and that he "unintentionally and without explanation pulled the mixture control up." The pilot reported that the engine instantly turned off and the low rotor RPM system activated, followed by the pilot entering an autorotation. The engine stopped at a height of approximately 50 feet above ground level (agl) and that the helicopter touched down in the dirt and rolled onto the pilot's side. The pilot reported no mechanical failures or malfunctions prior to the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7028U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7028U-2012-06-13), registration cancelled 2012-06-13, S/N 2890, built 1998 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: ROBINSON 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: 2890 - Airframe hours: 1728 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-J2A 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Universal Air Academy, doing business as Flight School - Registered owner: Business Financial Services Corp - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, March 28, 2010 - Departed: KPOC, La Verne, CA - Destination: KPOC, La Verne, CA - Airport: KPOC, Brackett Field Airport ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 27; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review March 21, 2009; seat: right; flight hours: 355 total, 76 in this make and model, 251 as pilot in command, 2 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 240° at 5 knots - Visibility: 3 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Altimeter: 29.96 inHg - Observed at: KPOC ## 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 20100605036329A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20100605036329A), Jun 5, 2010: Robinson He R22 BETA, La Vern, CA, Substantial damage. Helicopter was returning to brackett field from the southeast at the end of a local flight. The tower cleared N7028U to land on taxiway sierra. The brackett… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 16, 2010, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=76218. 398 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 398 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40331525&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.