# NTSB WPR11CA011: Robinson Helicopter R22 Beta, N853DS, Long Beach, CA, October 12, 2010 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: October 12, 2010, 12:40 local (19:40 UTC) - Place: Long Beach, CA - Coordinates: 33.817501, -118.15139 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.8175&lon=-118.1514&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering-hover: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious, 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 16, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 77546 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR11CA011 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/77546/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=77546 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR11CA011 ## Probable cause The student pilot's failure to maintain an adequate drift control and skid clearance from the ground and the CFI's inadequate supervision while hovering, resulting in dynamic rollover. ## 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) - [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) - [Performance/control parameters: altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA, 25 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=7640110), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering-hover: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470) (defining event); 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 certified flight instructor (CFI) and student pilot were practicing hovering. The student pilot had 6 hours total flight time, with all of his flight time being accrued in the accident make/model helicopter. During the hover, the right skid contacted the ground and the helicopter rolled onto its right side. The CFI reported that he delayed assuming control of the helicopter and allowed the helicopter to get too low during the maneuver. ## Factual narrative The certified flight instructor (CFI) and student pilot were practicing hovering. The student pilot had 6 hours total flight time, with all of his flight time being accrued in the accident make/model helicopter. During the hover, the right skid contacted the ground and the helicopter rolled onto its right side. The CFI reported that he delayed assuming control of the helicopter and allowed the helicopter to get too low during the maneuver. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N853DS](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N853DS-2013-07-30), registration cancelled 2013-07-30, S/N 3501, built 2003 (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-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-360-series) (registry code 41575, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 3501 - Airframe hours: 6210 - Engines: LYCOMING O-360-J2A 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Temco Sky Networks - Registered owner: Rick Shuster Aviation Services Lnc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, October 10, 2010, 9 hours before - Departed: LGB, Long Beach, CA - Destination: LGB, Long Beach, CA - Airport: LGB, Long Beach ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Flight instructor; age 24; injuries: none; commercial, private, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter, airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review February 14, 2009; seat: left; flight hours: 1,400 total, 1,200 in this make and model, 100 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours - Student pilot; age 18; injuries: serious; student; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: right; flight hours: 6 total, 6 in this make and model, 6 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 200° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 59 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 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 20101012048699A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20101012048699A), Oct 12, 2010: Robinson He R22 BETA, Long Beach, CA, Substantial damage. N853DS a Robinson, R22 helicopter, s/n 3501, operated by temco, a part 61 flight school, based @ lgb, student and CFI while practicing hover at pad #3, the… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 5, 2010, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=77546. 589 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 262 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40338170&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Photo 1. Helicopter (item 2, .PDF, 327 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40338489&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201.%20Helicopter-Master.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.