N457SH

Substantial
None

Robinson R 22 BetaS/N: 4029

Accident Details

Date
Tuesday, July 3, 2007
NTSB Number
SEA07CA193
Location
Long Beach, CA
Event ID
20070723X01000
Coordinates
33.817779, -118.151390
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
Highest Injury
None
Fatalities
0
Serious Injuries
0
Minor Injuries
0
Uninjured
2
Total Aboard
2

Probable Cause and Findings

The student pilot's improper use of the throttle and cyclic, and the certified flight instructor's inadequate supervision, which resulted in the collision with terrain.

Aircraft Information

Registration
N457SH
Make
ROBINSON
Serial Number
4029
Engine Type
Reciprocating
Year Built
2006
Model / ICAO
R 22 BetaR22
Aircraft Type
Rotorcraft
No. of Engines
1

Registered Owner (Historical)

Name
SILVER STATE HELICOPTERS LLC
Address
PO BOX 95695
Status
Deregistered
City
LAS VEGAS
State / Zip Code
NV 89193-5695
Country
United States

Analysis

The certified flight instructor (CFI) and student pilot were practicing hover autorotations. The CFI noted that the student had expressed difficulty with sufficient pedal inputs in the past, and the helicopter would yaw excessively to the left. The CFI demonstrated the maneuver to the student, showing him to establish the helicopter in a 2-foot hover, look outside and pick a reference point to maintain heading, position his hand on the throttle to roll it off, and as throttle is rolled off, prepare to apply right pedal to counteract the left yaw. The student pilot then assumed the controls and configured the helicopter for the hovering autorotation. The CFI had his left hand on the collective, his right hand on the cyclic, and his feet were guarding the pedals. The student counted down, "three, two, one…" and rolled the throttle on while adding right pedal. The helicopter yawed hard and fast to the right and the student pulled aft cyclic. The CFI attempted to regain control of the helicopter; however, the tail cone contacted the ground and the helicopter came to rest on its left side. The CFI stated that there were no mechanical malfunctions with the helicopter, prior to the accident.

Data Source

Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# SEA07CA193