Robinson R22 N412TL
1 October 2021 · Chandler, Arizona, United States · Fatal
Summary
On 1 October 2021 at about 14:40 local time, a Robinson R22 registered N412TL, operated by Quantum Helicopters, was involved in an accident near Chandler, Arizona, United States. 4 people were on board and 2 died. 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 14:40
- Classification
- Accident
- Location
- Chandler, Arizona, United States
- Nearest airport
- Chandler Muni (CHD)
- Coordinates
- 33.2691, -111.8111
- Aircraft
- Robinson R22
- Registration
- N412TL
- Category
- Helicopter
- Year built
- 2015
- Engines
- 1
- Operator
- Quantum Helicopters
- Operating rule
- Part 91: General Aviation
- Purpose of flight
- Instructional
- Phase of flight
- Not recorded
- Aircraft damage
- Substantial
- Weather
- VMC
- Light
- Day
- NTSB number
- WPR22FA001
People
2 people died.
| On board | Died | Serious | Minor | Uninjured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
Probable cause
The failure of the pilots onboard the airplane to see and avoid the helicopter while maneuvering in the traffic pattern, which resulted in a midair collision.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.
Read the full NTSB narrative
A low-wing airplane and a helicopter, both of which were operating as instructional flights with flight instructors onboard, were performing takeoffs and landings at the tower-controlled airport in day visual meteorological conditions. The helicopter was performing right traffic patterns to the taxiway that paralleled the runway, while the airplane was performing right traffic patterns, outside of and above the helicopter pattern, to the runway. The helicopter had been cleared for “the option” to the taxiway, while the airplane was cleared to land shortly thereafter. After receiving landing clearance, the instructor onboard the airplane elected to conduct a simulated engine failure to a full-stop landing, reducing the engine power to idle abeam the approach end of the runway, but did not advise the tower controller of his intentions. While on final approach, the instructor took control of the airplane and entered a forward slip. The instructor and student then heard and felt a loud “bang” and the instructor declared an emergency, thinking that the airplane had impacted birds. Flight track information, witness statements, and damage to the airplane indicated that the airplane descended into the helicopter while both aircraft were on final approach for landing. Review of tower control communications indicated that the accident airplane had been advised and was aware of helicopters operating to the parallel taxiway. The tower controller cleared the airplane to land behind a twin-engine airplane, and advised of a helicopter low and to the airplane's right (the accident helicopter). The circumstances of the accident are consistent with the failure of the pilots onboard the airplane to see and avoid the helicopter during landing approach, resulting in a collision with the helicopter. It is possible that the airplane’s low-wing configuration and steep descent while in the forward slip may have contributed to the pilots’ failure to see the helicopter below them.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.
Aircraft involved
| Aircraft | Registration | Operator | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Robinson R22 | N412TL | Quantum Helicopters | Substantial |
| Piper PA-28-181 | N2868H | Flight Operations Academy LLC | Minor |
Other Robinson R22 accidents
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 Dec 2021 | Robinson R22 BETA | Hachita, New Mexico, United States | Tcwh Inc | Minor injuries | - |
| 27 Aug 2021 | Robinson R22 BETA | Arnaudville, Louisiana, United States | 1 Acadiana Helicopters Company LLC | Minor injuries | - |
| 26 Jan 2021 | Robinson R22 | West Palm Beach, Florida, United States | Palm Beach Helicopters | No injuries | - |
| 26 May 2021 | Robinson R22 | Hay South, Australia | - | Fatal | 1 |
| 17 Nov 2021 | Robinson R22 | Rauch, Argentina | - | Fatal | 1 |
| 24 Aug 2021 | Robinson R22 | Limpopo Providance, South Africa | - | Minor injuries | - |
Other accidents in this area
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 30 Sep 2021 | Robinson R44 II | Phoenix, Arizona, United States | Universal Helicopters | Minor injuries | - |
| 3 Aug 2021 | Cessna 172F | Tucson, Arizona, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 1 Jan 2021 | Bell 47D | Marana, Arizona, United States | - | Minor injuries | - |
| 18 Mar 2021 | Davis Dan B LANCAIR EVOLUTION | Phoenix, Arizona, United States | CC Aircraft Sales LLC | No injuries | - |
| 1 Dec 2021 | Cessna 510 | Havasu, Arizona, United States | Baker Byron R | No injuries | - |
| 28 Mar 2021 | Cirrus SR22 | Marana, Arizona, United States | OC Aviation LLC | No injuries | - |