# NTSB WPR13CA067: Robinson Helicopter R22 Beta, N4073Q, Rawlins, WY, December 11, 2012 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: December 11, 2012, 09:20 local (16:20 UTC) - Place: Rawlins, WY - Coordinates: 41.805557, -107.200279 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.8056&lon=-107.2003&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: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report April 3, 2013 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 85788 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR13CA067 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/85788/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=85788 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR13CA067 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain main rotor rpm during takeoff, which resulted in a hard landing and subsequent rollover. ## 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) - [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 BETA, 37 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062052/cases.md?model=7640110), [All aircraft, 182 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062052/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 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) - [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 pilot reported that he was conducting a high density altitude takeoff in the single-engine helicopter in gusting wind conditions. He reported that while accelerating to best rate of climb speed, the main rotor low rpm horn sounded at 97 percent, and he unsuccessfully attempted to increase the main rotor rpm back to 102 percent. The pilot aborted the takeoff and sought a landing site near the departure end of the runway; the helicopter subsequently touched down at a high rate of descent in a gravel parking lot adjacent to the airport and rolled over. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the tail boom assembly and main rotor blades. The pilot reported that the helicopter takeoff weight was 66 pounds below gross takeoff weight. He also reported that the accident could have been prevented by shipping all personal items not required for flight to the next low altitude airport along his route of flight. A successful takeoff should have been possible at the reported takeoff weight. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that he was conducting a high density altitude takeoff in the single-engine helicopter in gusting wind conditions. He reported that while accelerating to best rate of climb speed, the main rotor low RPM horn sounded at 97-percent and he unsuccessfully attempted to increase the main rotor RPM back to 102-percent. The pilot aborted the takeoff and sought a landing site near the departure end of the runway; the helicopter subsequently touched down at a high rate of descent in a gravel parking lot adjacent to the airport and rolled over. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the tail boom assembly and main rotor blades. The pilot reported that the helicopter takeoff weight was 66 pounds below gross takeoff weight. He also reported that the accident could have been prevented by shipping all personal items not required for flight to the next low altitude airport along his route of flight. The pilot reported no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4073Q](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4073Q-2020-12-05), registration cancelled 2020-12-05, S/N 1857, 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: 1857 - Airframe hours: 1950 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320 SERIES 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Ferry, Part 91 - Operator: Smith David L Trustee - Registered owner: Smith David L Trustee - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, December 2, 2012 - Departed: KRWL, Rawlins, WY - Destination: KLAR, Laramie, WY - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: KRWL, Rawlins ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 74; injuries: minor; airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter, airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review April 11, 2012; seat: left; flight hours: 17,500 total, 3,500 in this make and model, 15,750 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 240° at 11 knots, gusting 18 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 3,200 ft broken - Temperature: 19 °F, dew point 16 °F - Altimeter: 29.88 inHg - Observed at: RWL, 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 20121211027629A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20121211027629A), Dec 11, 2012: Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA, Rawlins, WY, Substantial damage. On 12/11/12, N4073Q, an R44 helicopter, abrubtly impacted the ground shortly after takoff from ralings, WY airport. The aircraft sustained substancial damage.… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 24, 2013, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=85788. 132 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 132 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40384764&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.