Robinson R22 BETA N252SC

Summary

On 26 September 2022 at about 15:10 local time, a Robinson R22 BETA registered N252SC, operated by Sanbarcollbuscom, Inc, was involved in an accident near Mesa, Arizona, 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.

Date

26 September 2022 at 15:10

Classification

Accident

Location

Mesa, Arizona, United States

Coordinates

33.5400, -111.7100

Aircraft

Robinson R22 BETA

Registration

N252SC

Category

Helicopter

Year built

2005

Engines

1

Operator

Sanbarcollbuscom, Inc

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Instructional

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Mesa → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

WPR22LA359

2 people had minor injuries.

The flight instructor’s failure to maintain control of the helicopter’s rate of descent, resulting in a hard landing.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

While conducting an instructional flight, the flight instructor reported that, he assumed control of the helicopter to demonstrate a left 180° autorotation, and the maneuver began normally. Part way through the maneuver, the pilot noticed that the helicopter was lower in altitude than he expected. He reported that he applied right cyclic and aft cyclic, attempting to slow the rate of descent. The helicopter landed hard and skidded to a stop. When stopped, the flight instructor and the student pilot exited the helicopter, and a postimpact fire ensued. The tail boom and fuselage sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.