Robinson R22 BETA N3103Q
13 August 2015 · Caldwell, Idaho, United States · Minor injuries
Summary
On 13 August 2015 at about 22:35 local time, a Robinson R22 BETA registered N3103Q, operated by Silverhawk Aviation Academy LLC, was involved in an accident near Caldwell, Idaho, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.
The record
- Date
- at 22:35
- Classification
- Accident
- Location
- Caldwell, Idaho, United States
- Nearest airport
- Caldwell Industrial (EUL)
- Coordinates
- 43.6419, -116.6358
- Aircraft
- Robinson R22 BETA
- Registration
- N3103Q
- Category
- Helicopter
- Year built
- 2006
- Engines
- 1
- Operator
- Silverhawk Aviation Academy LLC
- Operating rule
- Part 91: General Aviation
- Purpose of flight
- Instructional
- Phase of flight
- Not recorded
- Route
- Caldwell → Caldwell
- Aircraft damage
- Substantial
- Weather
- VMC
- Light
- Day
- NTSB number
- GAA15CA224
People
2 people had minor injuries.
| On board | Died | Serious | Minor | Uninjured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
Probable cause
The helicopter flight instructor's delayed remedial action during an autorotation resulting in a loss of control and impact with terrain.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.
Read the full NTSB narrative
According to the flight instructor, while performing a simulated, right turn, 180 degree autorotation the helicopter impacted the ground and rolled over. The flight instructor stated that at 200 feet AGL, the low rotor RPM horn sounded, and he and the student pilot "attempted a recovery." The flight instructor reported that after hearing the low rotor RPM horn, but prior to impact, "a loud thumping noise could be heard and a violent shake in the cyclic could be felt." He stated that he chose to level the helicopter before it impacted the terrain and rolled. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the main rotor system, fuselage and tail boom. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical failures or anomalies prior to flight that would have prevented normal operation.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.
Other Robinson R22 accidents
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12 Jul 2015 | Robinson R22 BETA | Escalante, Utah, United States | - | Serious injuries | - |
| 15 Feb 2015 | Robinson R22 BETA | Asherton, Texas, United States | Southwest Texas Helicopters, Inc | Minor injuries | - |
| 22 Nov 2015 | Robinson R22 | Annaka City, Japan | - | Fatal | 2 |
| 3 Mar 2015 | Robinson R22 BETA | San Bernardino, California, United States | - | Minor injuries | - |
| 29 Jun 2015 | Robinson R22 BETA | Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, United States | Hawaii Pacific Aviation | Minor injuries | - |
| 1 Dec 2015 | Robinson R22 | Venice, Florida, United States | - | Serious injuries | - |
Other accidents in this area
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 27 Aug 2015 | Aviat A-1C-200 | Irwin, Idaho, United States | Kevin Bloxham Premier Construction Supply Inc | No injuries | - |
| 6 Sep 2015 | Cessna T210L | Soda Springs, Idaho, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 20 Apr 2015 | Cessna 180J | Boise, Idaho, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 18 Jun 2015 | Piper PA 20 | Yellow Pine, Idaho, United States | - | Serious injuries | - |
| 21 Sep 2015 | Cessna T206H | Idaho Falls, Idaho, United States | Aero-Graphics Inc. | Minor injuries | - |
| 26 Jul 2015 | Cessna 180J | Dixie, Idaho, United States | Patrick, Scott | No injuries | - |