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October 3, 2000 · Robinson R22 BETA · N8340N

Long Beach, CA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 3, 2000
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury), 1 uninjured
Location
Long Beach, CA
Aircraft
Robinson R22 BETA
Tail Number
N8340N
Operator
Helistream
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX01LA002

During a dual instructional flight lesson, the flight instructor directed his student to perform a practice autorotation. Both he and his student were handling the flight controls. The CFI directed that the student enter the autorotation while hovering between 2 and 3 feet above the dirt field. The student responded by rapidly lowering the collective, and the helicopter descended. Before the CFI could regain control, the helicopter's left skid touched down in the dirt and "dug in." Thereafter, the main rotor blades impacted the ground, and the helicopter rolled over onto its side. During the 5-minute period that preceded the accident, the student had accomplished the training maneuver without demonstrating any unusual problems. During the preceding 90-day period, the CFI gave 180 hours of instruction to various students in the Robinson helicopter. His total dual instruction experience in the Robinson was 1,800 hours.

NTSB Probable Cause

The dual student's improper use of the collective and the flight instructor's inadequate supervision during the practice hovering autorotation maneuver. A factor was the underlying soft dirt terrain, which promoted the rollover event.

Full Narrative

On October 3, 2000, about 1041 hours Pacific daylight time, a Robinson R22 Beta, N8340N, operated by Helistream, Inc., Costa Mesa, California, rolled over during landing at the Long Beach Airport, Long Beach, California. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed during the instructional flight that was performed under 14 CFR Part 91. No flight plan was filed for the local area flight. The helicopter was substantially damaged. The certified flight instructor (CFI) who possessed a commercial pilot certificate received a minor injury. The student pilot was not injured. The flight originated from Santa Ana, California, about 0950. The CFI reported to the National Transportation Safety Board investigator that he was providing dual instruction to his student. When the accident occurred both he and his student were handling the flight controls. The CFI directed that the student enter an autorotation while hovering between 2 and 3 feet above the dirt field. The student responded by rapidly lowering the collective, and the helicopter descended. Before the CFI could regain control, the helicopter's left skid touched down and "dug in." Thereafter, the main rotor blades impacted the ground, and the helicopter rolled over onto its side. The CFI did not report having experienced any mechanical malfunction with the helicopter during the accident flight. The CFI indicated that during the previous 5-minute period, he had practiced this same maneuver with the student and had not experienced any unusual problems with the student's performance. Regarding the CFI's experience providing flight instruction to students, the CFI reported having given a total of 2,000 hours of dual instruction, of which 1,800 hours were given in Robinson helicopters. During the preceding 90-day period, the CFI gave 180 hours of instruction in the Robinson.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time10:41 PDT
Nearest AirportLong Beach (0nm)
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftRobinson R22 BETA
Tail NumberN8340N
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
OperatorHelistream
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-360-J2A · Reciprocating · 131
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury), 1 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured1
Total2
Crew 1Age 37 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind3 kt
Visibility6 sm
CeilingOvercast 1800 ft
Temperature / Dew Point15 C / 14 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time17:41
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data