Robinson R22 N9076U

Summary

On 17 March 2016 at about 15:30 local time, a Robinson R22 registered N9076U, operated by California Aviation Services Inc, was involved in an accident near Riverside, California, United States. One person was 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

17 March 2016 at 15:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Riverside, California, United States

Nearest airport

Riverside Muni (RAL)

Coordinates

33.9519, -117.4450

Aircraft

Robinson R22

Registration

N9076U

Category

Helicopter

Year built

1982

Engines

1

Operator

California Aviation Services Inc

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Instructional

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Riverside → Riverside

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

GAA16CA151

Nobody was injured.

The student pilot's incorrect action performance by not applying sufficient pressure to the right anti-torque pedal, resulting in an uncontrollable left yaw, and ground impact.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

According to the student pilot, during his first solo flight, he aborted his first approach and landing because he was too steep and too fast. He reported that after terminating the second approach to a hover, he attempted to set the helicopter down on the runway. The student pilot reported that while established at a five foot hover, he lowered the collective with more force than normal and the helicopter touched down hard. He reported that he attempted to establish a hover after the hard touch down and quickly increased the collective without applying sufficient right anti-torque pedal. He recalled that a rapid right yaw ensued and the helicopter spun several revolutions before impacting the ground. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the frame and tail rotor drive shaft. The student pilot reported that there were no mechanical failures or anomalies with the helicopter prior to or during the flight that would have prevented normal flight operation.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.