Robinson R22 BETA N7508E

Summary

On 1 July 2003 at about 01:02 local time, a Robinson R22 BETA registered N7508E was involved in an accident near Chandler, Arizona, United States. 2 people were on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

1 July 2003 at 01:02

Classification

Accident

Location

Chandler, Arizona, United States

Coordinates

33.2000, -111.9833

Aircraft

Robinson R22 BETA

Registration

N7508E

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Instructional

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Chandler → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

LAX03CA220

Nobody was injured.

The student's failure to maintain adequate main rotor rpm and his failure to relinquish the controls.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The helicopter made a hard landing during a practice autorotation and rolled over. The certified flight instructor (CFI) initiated a "throttle chop." The student turned the helicopter into the wind and the airspeed decreased. He lowered the nose in an attempt to gain airspeed; however, the rotor rpm began to decay. The CFI stated "I've got it," but the student did not release the controls. The CFI attempted a recovery maneuver but was unable to recover the lost rotor rpm. About 30 feet above ground level (agl), the student relinquished the controls. Just prior to impact, the helicopter shuddered. It impacted on the forward portion of the skids, the main rotor struck the tail boom, and came to rest on its right side. The student did not relinquish control until the CFI stated for a third time, "I've got it." No mechanical malfunctions were noted with the helicopter.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.