# NTSB WPR12CA307: Robinson Helicopter R22, N47WH, Bountiful, UT, July 16, 2012 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 16, 2012, 12:05 local (18:05 UTC) - Place: Bountiful, UT - Coordinates: 40.869167, -111.893608 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.8692&lon=-111.8936&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 4, 2012 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 84340 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR12CA307 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/84340/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=84340 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR12CA307 ## Probable cause The student’s failure to maintain adequate rotor rpm and the flight instructor’s delayed remedial action, which resulted in a hard landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: descent/approach/glide path](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R22, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md?model=7640102), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md) - [Action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041000): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R22, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041000/cases.md?model=7640102), [All aircraft, 111 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041000/cases.md) - [Action: delayed action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Instructor/check pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R22, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md?model=7640102), [All aircraft, 894 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: prop/rotor parameters](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062052): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R22, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062052/cases.md?model=7640102), [All aircraft, 182 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062052/cases.md) - [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, 18 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7640102), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092) (defining event); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R22, 13 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=7640102), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md) ## Analysis While performing a simulated power-off autorotation with a power recovery, the certified flight instructor (CFI) and student noted that the main rotor rpm was decaying. About 150 to 200 feet above ground level (agl), the instructor took the flight controls, executed a flare about 50 feet agl, and realized that the helicopter was going to settle. The instructor then attempted a run-on landing, but the helicopter landed hard, spreading the skid landing gear and damaging the rotors, frame, engine and transmission. The helicopter then slid about 75 feet down the runway, departed the runway surface, and rolled four times before coming to rest on its left side. The CFI stated that there were no mechanical problems with the helicopter prior to the accident. ## Factual narrative While performing simulated power-off autorotations with a power recovery, the certified flight instructor (CFI) and student noted that the main rotor rpm was decaying. About 150 to 200 feet above ground level (agl), the CFI took the flight controls and executed a flare about 50 feet agl, and realized the helicopter was going to settle. The CFI then attempted a run on landing, but the helicopter landed hard, spreading the skid landing gear. The helicopter then slid about 75 feet down the runway, departed the runway surface, and rolled four times before coming to rest on its left side. The CFI stated that there were no mechanical problems with the helicopter. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N47WH](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N47WH-2018-09-13), registration cancelled 2018-09-13, S/N 3525, built 2003 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: ROBINSON HELICOPTER COMPANY R22 - Registry model: [Robinson Helicopter R22](https://openairdocs.org/model/robinson-helicopter-r22) (registry code 7640102) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-360-series) (registry code 41575, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 3525 - Airframe hours: 1611 - Engines: LYCOMING O-360-J2A 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Upper Limit Aviation - Registered owner: Tumbleweed Leasing, LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 11, 2012, 15 hours before - Departed: SLC, Salt Lake City, UT - Destination: BTF, Bountiful, UT - Flight plan: Company VFR - Airport: BTF, Bountiful Skypark, runway 16, 4,700 × 70 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Flight instructor; age 39; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review March 5, 2012; seat: left; flight hours: 1,013 total, 781 in this make and model, 168 in the last 90 days, 29 in the last 30 days - Student pilot; age 75; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, multi-engine sea, single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review April 4, 2012; seat: right ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 200° at 10 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 28 °F, dew point 9 °F - Altimeter: 29.98 inHg - Observed at: SLC, 6 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 20120716014899A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120716014899A), Jul 16, 2012: Robinson Helicopter Company R22, Bountiful, UT, Substantial damage. During a simulated power-off autorotation with a power recovery, the instructor and the pilot receiving refresher proficiency training both noted the airspeed… ## Other investigations on N47WH (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 WPR18LA041](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR18LA041), Nov 30, 2017: Robinson Helicopter R22 (N47WH), Truckee, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The flight instructor’s failure to execute a power recovery from a non-stabilized autorotative descent, which resulted in a hard landing. ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 2, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=84340. 1.7 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40374139&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Student Pilot Statement (item 2, .PDF, 249 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40374140&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Student%20Pilot%20Statement-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.