Robinson R-22 BETA II N7514P

Summary

On 15 July 2005 at about 16:00 local time, a Robinson R-22 BETA II registered N7514P, operated by Sliver State Helicopters, was involved in an accident near Mesa, 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

15 July 2005 at 16:00

Classification

Accident

Location

Mesa, Arizona, United States

Nearest airport

Williams Gateway Airport (IWA)

Coordinates

33.3078, -111.6556

Aircraft

Robinson R-22 BETA II

Registration

N7514P

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Sliver State Helicopters

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Instructional

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Mesa → Mesa

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

LAX05CA232

Nobody was injured.

the improper use of the throttle and antitorque pedal by the pilot undergoing instruction, and the inadequate supervision of the flight by the certified flight instructor.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

During a practice hovering autorotation the helicopter impacted the terrain and rolled over. On the third attempt at the hovering autorotation, the pilot undergoing instruction (PUI) and certified flight instructor (CFI) stabilized the helicopter in a 2-foot hover. The PUI counted down "three, two, and one" and entered the maneuver. He then increased the throttle, as opposed to retarding the throttle, and simultaneously added full right antitorque pedal. The helicopter then began to rapidly yaw to the right. The CFI then retarded the throttle and tried to overcome the PUI's right antitorque pedal input. At this point the helicopter was starting to descend, and the right yawing motion was beginning to slow down. As the helicopter descended towards terrain, the low rotor rpm horn and light went off, and the CFI lowered the collective in attempt to stop the descent. Shortly thereafter, the helicopter impacted the terrain, and rolled over on its right side facing 180 degrees from the initial starting point. The resulting damage was to the main rotor blades, tail rotor blades, and tail boom. The pilot stated that the helicopter and engine had no mechanical failures or malfunctions during the flight.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.