# NTSB WPR11CA031: Robinson Helicopter R22 Beta, N844SH, Prescott, AZ, October 29, 2010 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: October 29, 2010, 16:00 local (23:00 UTC) - Place: Prescott, AZ - Coordinates: 34.654445, -112.419441 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.6544&lon=-112.4194&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: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report April 12, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 77696 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR11CA031 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/77696/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=77696 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR11CA031 ## Probable cause The student pilot's failure to maintain the proper airspeed and the certificated flight instructor's inadequate supervision and delayed remedial action during a practice autorotation, which resulted in a hard landing and 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) - [Attention/monitoring: monitoring other person](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021535): Personnel issues › Psychological · Instructor/check pilot (probable cause) - [Performance/control parameters: airspeed](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Student/instructed pilot (probable cause) ## Analysis A certificated flight instructor (CFI) and a student were practicing 180-degree autorotations. The CFI noted that, during the initial entry into the autorotation, the student pilot maintained proper rotor rpm and airspeed. About halfway through the 180-degree turn, the helicopter became nose-low and the airspeed increased. As the helicopter transitioned through about three-quarters of the turn, the CFI took authority of the helicopter's controls and attempted to correct the airspeed. The CFI stated that she was unable to correct and the helicopter touched down hard in an open dirt field. The helicopter subsequently rolled over and came to rest on its left side. Examination of the helicopter revealed that the tail boom was separated and the fuselage sustained structural damage. The CFI reported that no mechanical malfunctions existed during the practice autorotation and accident sequence. ## Factual narrative A certified flight instructor (CFI) and a student were practicing 180-degree autorotations. The instructor noted that during the initial entry into the autorotation, the student pilot maintained proper rotor rpm and airspeed. About halfway through the 180-degree turn, the helicopter "became nose low" and the airspeed increased. As the helicopter transitioned through about three-quarters of the turn, the instructor took control of the helicopter and attempted to correct the airspeed. The instructor stated that she was unable to correct and the helicopter touched down hard in an open dirt field. The helicopter subsequently rolled over and came to rest on its left side. Examination of the helicopter revealed that the tail boom was separated and the fuselage sustained structural damage. The flight instructor reported that no mechanical malfunctions existed during the practice autorotation and accident sequence. ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Autorotation: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060) - [Autorotation: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092) (defining event) - [Post-impact: Roll over](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/097) ## Aircraft - Registration: [N844SH](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N844SH-2011-08-30), registration cancelled 2011-08-30, S/N 3824, built 2005 (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: 3824 - Airframe hours: 2953 - Engines: LYCOMING O-360 SERIES 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Guidance Helicopters - Registered owner: Guidance Helicopters - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, October 26, 2010, 13 hours before - Departed: Prescott, AZ - Destination: Prescott, AZ ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Flight instructor; age 30; injuries: minor; commercial, flight instructor; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review August 14, 2010; seat: left; flight hours: 1,462 total, 1,123 in this make and model, 1,334 as pilot in command, 194 in the last 90 days, 55 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours - Student pilot; age 27; injuries: minor; student; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; seat: right; flight hours: 43 total, 43 in this make and model, 19 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 210° at 11 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 30 °F - Altimeter: 30.15 inHg - Observed at: PRC, 7 nm away ## 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 20101029050659A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20101029050659A), Oct 29, 2010: Robinson He R22 BETA, Prescott, AZ, Destroyed. On 10/29/2010 an R22 helicopter (N844SH) operated by guidance helicopters LLC. Conducted a CFR 14 part 141 training flight in the company's training area… ## Other investigations on N844SH (1) 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. - [NTSB DEN08CA046](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN08CA046), Dec 21, 2007: Robinson R22 Beta (N844SH), Pueblo, CO, substantial damage. Probable cause: the pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control resulting in a hard landing. ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 22, 2010, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=77696. 338 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 338 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40339346&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.