# NTSB WPR24LA183: Robinson Helicopter R22 Beta, N7514V, Maricopa, AZ, June 6, 2024

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report
- Date: June 6, 2024, 16:00 local (23:00 UTC)
- Place: Maricopa, AZ · On airport
- Coordinates: 32.992089, -111.91668
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.9921&lon=-111.9167&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Emergency descent](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/600) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Autorotation: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish
- NTSB office: Western Pacific Region
- Parties: Federal Aviation Administration
- NTSB case key (mKey): 194414
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR24LA183
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/194414/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=194414
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24LA183

## Probable cause

The flight instructor’s unstabilized approach during an autorotation that resulted in hard landing.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Use of equip/info: use of equip/system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015): Personnel issues › Task performance · Instructor/check 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)
- [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 BETA, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md?model=7640110), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Autorotation: 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

The flight instructor of the helicopter reported that, he initiated the autorotation from about 1,000 ft above ground level (agl). As they were descending toward the runway, the instructor noted his airspeed at 55 kts and a high rate of descent. He began the flare, but the rate of descent continued, so he attempted a power recovery. The helicopter continued to descend, and he raised the collective, to cushion the landing. The helicopter landed hard, resulting in substantial damage to the fuselage, tailboom and vertical stabilizer. The flight instructor reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7514V](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7514V-2024-11-02), registration cancelled 2024-11-02, S/N 3512, built 2003 (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 O-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-360-series) (registry code 41575, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 3512
- Year built: 2003
- Airframe hours: 13296.7
- Engines: Lycoming O-360-J2A 131 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Quantum Helicopters
- Registered owner: Delta Leasing Inc DBA
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, May 31, 2024
- Departed: CHD, Chandler, AZ
- Destination: Same as departure
- Airport: A39, Ak-Chin Regional Airport, runway 22, 4,751 × 50 ft, asphalt
- Equipment: Electronic flight bag or handheld device, ADS-B

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Flight instructor; age 26; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review September 26, 2022; seat: right; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 1,172 total, 1,172 in this make and model, 1,092 as pilot in command, 126 in the last 90 days, 34 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours
- Student pilot; age 27; injuries: none; commercial; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review May 13, 2024; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 204 total, 204 in this make and model, 124 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 290° at 11 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 108 °F, dew point 41 °F
- Altimeter: 29.75 inHg
- Observed at: KCGZ, 8 nm away
- METAR: KCGZ 062156Z AUTO 29011G15KT 10SM CLR 42/05 A2975 RMK AO2 SLP055 T04220050 PNO $

## 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 20240606005669A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20240606005669A), Jun 6, 2024: Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA, Maricopa, AZ, Substantial damage. On June 6th, 2024, a Robinson R-22 helicopter [privacy data omitted]. And operated by [privacy data omitted] was practicing auto rotations at ak-Chin…

## Docket (4 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 2, 2024, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=194414. 7.0 MB in all.

- Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 2.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17238563&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=CFI%206120_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Record of phone conversation - CFI (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 70 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17247983&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Record%20of%20phone%20conversation%20-%20CFI-Rel.pdf
- Pilot rated student, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 3, PDF, 11 pages, 4.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17255187&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Student%20Pilot%206120_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Photo array (item 4, PDF, 3 pages, 503 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17239784&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%20Array-Rel.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.

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