# NTSB WPR11CA264: Robinson Helicopter R22 Beta, N334DC, Prescott, AZ, June 18, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 18, 2011, 11:30 local (18:30 UTC) - Place: Prescott, AZ - Coordinates: 34.489444, -112.419723 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.4894&lon=-112.4197&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Taxi-into takeoff position: Loss of tail rotor effectiveness](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/242) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 11, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 80810 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR11CA264 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/80810/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=80810 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR11CA264 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate compensation for the wind conditions and failure to maintain directional control of the helicopter during taxi, resulting in a loss of tail rotor effectiveness and a subsequent hard landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · 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) - [Wind: tailwind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on equipment; cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md?model=7640110), [All aircraft, 594 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md) - [Wind: tailwind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Response/compensation (probable cause); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md?model=7640110), [All aircraft, 594 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/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: [Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA, 14 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=7640110), [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. - [Taxi-into takeoff position: Loss of tail rotor effectiveness](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/242) (defining event); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/242/sequence.md?model=7640110), [All aircraft, 100 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/242/sequence.md) - [Taxi-into takeoff position: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA, 13 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=7640110), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Taxi-into takeoff position: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); 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 instructor reported that his student was taxiing the helicopter in a north direction along a taxiway parallel to the runway with a near direct tailwind of 10 knots with gusts to 19. The student started to lose tail rotor authority over the helicopter. At this time the instructor took control of the helicopter and proceeded to apply full left pedal until he regained tail rotor authority and directional control. Because of the strong wind from the south, the instructor opted to keep control of the helicopter until they were airborne and he proceeded to continue their taxi to the displaced threshold of the runway. Upon reaching the displaced threshold, the instructor started a 220 degree turn to the left in order to line up with a takeoff direction to the south into the wind. The instructor reported that half way through the turn the helicopter violently yawed to the left, and he applied full right pedal to cancel the yaw but was unable to arrest the helicopter's left yawing moment. The helicopter landed hard on the skids, damaging the main rotor and severing the tail boom aft of the tail rotor blades hazard guard and before the tail rotor transmission. The pilot reported no mechanical issues with the helicopter prior to the flight. The wind limitation listed in the Pilot's Operating Handbook for the helicopter is 25 knots including any gust factor. ## Factual narrative The instructor reported that his student was taxing the helicopter in a north direction along a taxiway parallel to runway 12/30 with a near direct tailwind of 10 knots with gusts to 19. The student started to lose tail rotor authority over the helicopter. At this time the instructor took control of the helicopter and proceeded to apply full left pedal until they regained tail rotor authority and directional control. Because of the strong winds from the south, the instructor opted to keep control of the helicopter until they were airborne and he proceeded to continue their taxi to the displaced threshold of runway 12. Upon reaching the displaced threshold, the instructor started a 220 degree turn to the left in order to line up with a takeoff direction to the south into the wind. The instructor reported that half way through the turn the helicopter violently yawed to the left, and he applied full right pedal to cancel the yaw but was unable to arrest the helicopters left yawing moment. The helicopter landed hard on the skids, damaging the main rotor and severing the tail boom aft of the tail rotor blades hazard guard and before the tail rotor transmission. The pilot reported no mechanical issues with the helicopter prior to the flight. The wind limitation listed in the Pilot's Operating Handbook for the helicopter is 25 knots including any gust factor. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N334DC](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N334DC-2022-02-05), registration cancelled 2022-02-05, S/N 3511, 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: 3511 - Airframe hours: 4352 - Engines: LYCOMING O-360 SERIES 124 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Guidance Helicopters Inc - Registered owner: Guidance Helicopters Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, May 12, 2011, 89 hours before - Departed: KPRC, Prescott, AZ - Destination: KPRC, Prescott, AZ - Airport: KPRC, Ernest H Love Field, runway 12, 4,408 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Flight instructor; age 31; injuries: none; commercial; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review December 1, 2010; seat: left; flight hours: 339 total, 187 in this make and model, 234 as pilot in command, 85 in the last 90 days, 49 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 170° at 10 knots, gusting 19 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 19 °F - Altimeter: 30.04 inHg - Observed at: KPRC, 1 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 20110618012479A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110618012479A), Jun 18, 2011: Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA, Prescott, AZ, Substantial damage. On June 18, 2011 at 1129 MST at Prescott Love Field (prc), Prescott, AZ, N334DC, Robinson R-22 helicopter, was making a 180 degree turn to the left for takeoff… ## Other investigations on N334DC (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 CEN19LA245](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN19LA245), Jul 8, 2019: Robinson R22 (N334DC), Water Valley, TX, substantial damage. Probable cause: The loss of helicopter performance for undetermined reasons. ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 24, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=80810. 10.4 MB in all. - Pilot Operator Report, NTSB Form 6120.1/2 (item 1, .PDF, 8.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40350046&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20Operator%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1%2F2-Redacted.PDF - Pilot Statement (item 2, .PDF, 50 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40350023&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20Statement-Master.PDF - Wtness Statement (item 3, .PDF, 1.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40350047&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Wtness%20Statement-Redacted.PDF - Photo 1. Helicopter on runway (item 4, .PDF, 286 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40350017&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201.%20Helicopter%20on%20runway-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.