# NTSB WPR12CA117: Robinson Helicopter R22 Beta, N54BA, Randle, WA, March 8, 2012 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: March 7, 2012, 17:05 local (Mar 8, 2012, 01:05 UTC) - Place: Randle, WA - Coordinates: 46.570835, -121.974441 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.5708&lon=-121.9744&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 15, 2012 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 82969 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR12CA117 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/82969/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=82969 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR12CA117 ## Probable cause The pilot exceeded the helicopter's performance, resulting in low rotor rpm and settling. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Terrain: mountainous/hilly terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021010): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021010/cases.md?model=7640110), [All aircraft, 329 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021010/cases.md) - [Aircraft capability: climb capability](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061010): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Capability exceeded (probable cause); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061010/cases.md?model=7640110), [All aircraft, 183 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061010/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering-hover: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA, 24 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md?model=7640110), [All aircraft, 1,556 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md) - [Landing: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) (defining event); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=7640110), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/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 certified flight instructor (CFI) was preparing the flying pilot for his commercial helicopter check flight. They were practicing pinnacle and confined-area landings to a small elevated U.S. Forest Service landing platform located along a 4,750-foot mean sea level (msl) ridgeline. The helicopter performance tables indicated a maximum out-of-ground-effect hover altitude of 6,000 feet msl, based on helicopter weight and environmental conditions. The pilot made a very shallow approach to the landing platform and established a hover. At this time, the engine manifold pressure increased, and the low rotor rpm horn sounded. The helicopter settled onto the landing platform, and the flying pilot said to the CFI that the landing skid on his side was not on the platform. He maneuvered the helicopter forward off the platform and downslope. The low rotor rpm horn stopped sounding, and the helicopter increased its forward speed but did not increase its altitude. The right skid caught some snow, and the helicopter flipped over. The helicopter came to rest facing uphill on its left side with damage to the tailboom and main rotor blades. The CFI stated that the helicopter had no mechanical malfunctions or failures during the flight. ## Factual narrative The certified flight instructor (CFI) was preparing the flying pilot for his commercial helicopter check flight. They were practicing pinnacle and confined area landings to a small elevated Forrest Service landing platform located along a 4,750-foot mean sea level (msl) ridge line. The helicopter performance tables indicated, based on helicopter weight and environmental conditions, a maximum out of ground effect hover altitude of 6,000 feet msl. The pilot made a very shallow approach to the landing platform, and established a hover. At this time the engine manifold pressure increased, and the low rotor rpm horn sounded. The helicopter settled onto the landing platform and the flying pilot said to the CFI that the landing skid on his side was not on the platform. He maneuvered the helicopter forward off the platform, and downslope. The low rotor rpm horn stopped sounding, and the helicopter increased forward speed but did not increase in altitude. The right skid caught some snow and the helicopter flipped over. The helicopter came to rest facing uphill on it's left side with damage to the tail boom and main rotor blades. The CFI stated that the helicopter had no mechanical malfunctions or failures during the flight. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N54BA](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N54BA), registered now, S/N 1888, built 1991 (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 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 1888 - Airframe hours: 5640 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320 SERIES 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Glacier Aviation - Registered owner: Carter Richard K - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, December 13, 2011 - Departed: KN55, Randle, WA - Destination: KN55, Randle, WA - Flight plan: Unknown - Airport: KN55, Randal-Kiona ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Flight instructor; age 47; injuries: none; commercial; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review August 1, 2011; seat: left; flight hours: 975 total, 569 in this make and model - Pilot; age 38; injuries: none; private; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; seat: right; flight hours: 158 total, 142 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 340° at 3 knots - Temperature: 46 °F, dew point 27 °F - Altimeter: 30.43 inHg - Observed at: KPLU, 37 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 20120307002609A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120307002609A), Mar 7, 2012: Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA, Randle, WA, Substantial damage. While training on pinnacle landings, confined approaches and landings to a platform located on a snowy slope near Randle, WA the low rotor RPM light came on… ## Other investigations on N54BA (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 ATL94LA094](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL94LA094), May 8, 1994: Robinson R-22B (N54BA), Stone Mountain, GA, substantial damage. Probable cause: the pilot's improper vertical takeoff in that he allowed the helicopter to drift rearward, and his failure to maintain clearance from the wire. ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 4, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=82969. 822 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 766 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40365337&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Photo 1 - On scene photo (item 2, .PDF, 56 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40365338&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20-%20On%20scene%20photo-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.