# NTSB WPR17LA068: Robinson Helicopter R22 Beta, N7095A, Holbrook, AZ, February 18, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: February 18, 2017, 08:00 local (15:00 UTC) - Place: Holbrook, AZ - Coordinates: 34.900001, -110.150001 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.9000&lon=-110.1500&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 25, 2017 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 94787 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR17LA068 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/94787/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94787 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR17LA068 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to compensate for a loss of effective translational lift while turning from an upwind to a downwind condition at a low altitude and low airspeed, which resulted in a loss of helicopter control. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [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) - [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) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220) (defining event); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA, 12 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md?model=7640110), [All aircraft, 780 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md) - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240); cases with it: [Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA, 67 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=7640110), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: 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 private pilot was conducting a personal local flight in the helicopter. The pilot stated that he was flying at a low altitude over a cow pasture and descended to look at the cows. The helicopter was operating at 10 knots with a 7-knot headwind when the pilot initiated a 180° turn, which resulted in a tailwind condition and a subsequent uncommanded descent. The pilot took remedial actions, but the helicopter landed hard, and the main rotor blades severed the tailboom. The pilot stated that there were no mechanical anomalies with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation. It is likely that the helicopter lost effective translational lift during the turn from a headwind to a tailwind condition and that the pilot failed to compensate for the loss of translational lift, which resulted in the uncontrolled descent. ## Factual narrative On February 18, 2017, about 0800 mountain standard time, the pilot of a Robinson R22 Beta, N7095A, experienced a loss of helicopter control while maneuvering in a turn and landed hard in an open field near Holbrook, Arizona. The private pilot/owner operated the helicopter under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91, as a personal flight. The pilot and one passenger were not injured. The helicopter was substantially damaged. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local area flight and no flight plan had been filed. The flight departed from a private residence about 0715 the morning of the accident. According to the pilot's written statement, he departed from his brother's residence about 0715 with the intent of flying around Holbrook on a personal flight. They over flew a cow pasture, and descended to look at the cows. The pilot reported his airspeed was about 10 knots with a 7-knot headwind. He maneuvered the helicopter in a 180-degree turn and the helicopter started an un-commanded descent. He pulled cyclic control, which responded by lowering engine and main rotor blade rpm; he tried to lower and increase throttle, and flared to land; however, the helicopter landed hard. The main rotor blades contacted and subsequently severed the tail boom. The pilot stated that there were no mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation of the helicopter. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7095A](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7095A-2018-05-03), registration cancelled 2018-05-03, S/N 2900, built 1999 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: ROBINSON HELICOPTER R22 BETA (BETA) - Registry model: [Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA](https://openairdocs.org/model/robinson-helicopter-r22-beta) (registry code 7640110) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 2900 - Year built: 1999 - Airframe hours: 1947.6 - Engines: LYCOMING O-3660-J2A 145 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, February 8, 2017 - Departed: NA, Holbrook, AZ - Destination: Holbrook, AZ - Equipment: Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 43; injuries: none; private; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review December 21, 2016; seat: right; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 156.1 total, 0 in this make and model, 90 as pilot in command, 13 in the last 90 days, 2.2 in the last 30 days, 0.8 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 120° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 39 °F, dew point 25 °F - Altimeter: 29.52 inHg - Observed at: P14, 15 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 20170218002389A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170218002389A), Feb 18, 2017: Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA, Holbrook, AZ, Substantial damage. The pilot was operating the aircraft for personal use in support of cattle ranching on private land. The pilot and his brother were on board. The accident… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 10, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94787. 5.8 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 5.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40450955&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-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.