# NTSB WPR11LA003: Robinson R22, N2356T, Scappoose, OR, October 8, 2010 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 8, 2010, 10:30 local (17:30 UTC) - Place: Scappoose, OR - Coordinates: 45.769165, -122.856941 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.7692&lon=-122.8569&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 26, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 77526 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR11LA003 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/77526/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=77526 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR11LA003 ## Probable cause The student pilot’s failure to maintain helicopter control during the landing flare and his subsequent interference with the flight instructor's control inputs. Contributing to the accident was the flight instructor’s inadequate supervision. ## 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 · 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: yaw control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062024): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062024/cases.md?model=7640110), [All aircraft, 149 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062024/cases.md) - [Attention/monitoring: task monitoring/vigilance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021520): Personnel issues › Psychological · Instructor/check pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021520/cases.md?model=7640110), [All aircraft, 330 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021520/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA, 20 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md?model=7640110), [All aircraft, 1,269 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: use of equip/system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015): Personnel issues › Task performance · Student/instructed 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) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092) (defining event); 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) ## Analysis During the instructional helicopter flight, the student pilot and a certified flight instructor (CFI) were practicing pattern work, hover work, and “set downs and pickups.” On the third set down, after the landing skids touched down, the helicopter started to spin to the right about 180 degrees. The CFI said he attempted to correct the yaw; however, the student was “too stiff” on the flight controls. The student pilot overpowered the CFI on the controls and raised the collective, which resulted in the helicopter climbing about 2 to 3 feet above the ground. The helicopter then landed hard breaking the left rear skid. The tail rotor subsequently struck the ground, and the helicopter made one complete rotation before coming to a rest. The CFI reported no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine prior to the accident. Despite requests from investigators, the student pilot did not provide a statement. ## Factual narrative On October 8, 2010, about 1030 Pacific daylight time, a Robinson R22 Beta helicopter, N2356T, landed hard and struck the tail rotor on the ground at the Scappoose Industrial Airpark (SPB), Scappoose, Oregon. Hillsboro Aviation operated the helicopter under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a training flight. The certificated flight instructor (CFI) and student pilot were not injured. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the tail rotor and left rear portion of the airframe. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight, and no flight plan had been filed. According to the CFI, he and the student pilot flew to SPB to practice pattern work, hover work, and some "set downs and pickups.” On the third set down, after the landing skids touched down, the helicopter started to spin to the right about 180 degrees. The CFI attempted to correct the maneuver; however, the student was "too stiff" on the flight controls. The student overcame the CFI and raised the collective, and the helicopter became airborne about 2 to 3 feet above the ground. The helicopter then landed hard breaking the left rear skid. Subsequently, the tail rotor struck the ground and the helicopter made one complete rotation before coming to a rest. The CFI shut down the helicopter, and both the CFI and student pilot exited the helicopter normally. The CFI reported no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine prior to the accident. Despite requests from investigators, the student pilot did not provide a statement. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2356T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2356T-2020-07-10), registration cancelled 2020-07-10, S/N 2259, built 1993 (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 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 2259 - Airframe hours: 13030 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-B2C 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Hillsboro Aviation Inc - Registered owner: Hillsboro Aviation Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, September 25, 2010, 33 hours before - Departed: HIO, Portland, OR - Destination: SPB, Portland, OR - Airport: SPB, Scappoose Industrial Airpark ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Flight instructor; age 23; injuries: none; flight instructor; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review May 4, 2010; seat: left; flight hours: 364 total, 364 in this make and model, 297 as pilot in command, 113 in the last 90 days, 55 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours - Student pilot; age 24; injuries: none; student; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; seat: right; flight hours: 5 total, 5 in this make and model, 5 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 140° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 55 °F - Altimeter: 30.15 inHg - Observed at: SPB ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on February 4, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=77526. 496 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 496 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40342198&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.