N8356R

Substantial
None

ROBINSON HELICOPTER R22 BETAS/N: 2729

Accident Details

Date
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
NTSB Number
WPR09CA023
Location
Temecula, CA
Event ID
20081024X50800
Coordinates
33.448055, -117.023330
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
Highest Injury
None
Fatalities
0
Serious Injuries
0
Minor Injuries
0
Uninjured
2
Total Aboard
2

Probable Cause and Findings

The certified flight instructor's failure to maintain adequate rotor rpm during a simulated approach to landing under variable wind, and high density altitude conditions.

Aircraft Information

Registration
Make
ROBINSON HELICOPTER
Serial Number
2729
Engine Type
Reciprocating
Year Built
1997
Model / ICAO
R22 BETAR22
Aircraft Type
Rotorcraft
No. of Engines
1
Seats
2
FAA Model
R22 BETA

Registered Owner (Current)

Name
EMERALD CITY AIRCRAFT LEASING INC
Address
6399 CLOVER VALLEY RD SE
City
PORT ORCHARD
State / Zip Code
WA 98367-9033
Country
United States

Analysis

During the accident flight, the certified flight instructor (CFI) was providing dual instruction to his student. The CFI was showing the student how to make a landing approach over 2,500-foot mean sea level hilly terrain. The student had about 13 hours of total flying experience, and the CFI was handling the controls. According to the CFI, the first approach to the landing site was uneventful. During the second approach the low rotor rpm warning horn activated. In the CFI's original statement to the Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board, the CFI reported that he tried to "milk collective and get it back," but he was not successful. The CFI opined that the wind direction may have changed, and he attempted to redirect the helicopter's course into the wind. The CFI was unable to regain rpm and stop the descent. The helicopter impacted the field and rolled over. The CFI reported that when the accident occurred, the helicopter was operating near its maximum certificated gross weight. The out of ground effect hover ceiling was about 3,000 feet, and the density altitude was about 3,200 feet.

Data Source

Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# WPR09CA023