ROBINSON HELICOPTER COMPANY R22 near Prescott, AZ — 2015-08-18

Probable cause

The flight instructor's decision to turn the helicopter downwind during a hover taxi which resulted in an uncontrolled descent and impact with terrain.

NTSB narrative

The flight instructor reported that while holding short to cross runway 21L in a skid-equipped helicopter, she was issued the clearance "cross 21L." She reported that she assumed that the clearance was for a direct route to her destination on the airport. After the helicopter began to hover taxi direct to the destination, she reported that the ground controller called her and stated "cross 21L at C4, D4 and follow company traffic." The flight instructor reported that to avoid a runway incursion, she "turned the helicopter into a tailwind and considering the high density altitude and strong winds the aircraft did not have enough power and it settled toward the ground, causing one bounce in the sod, the second bounce rolled the helicopter onto its left side." The flight instructor reported there were no pre-impact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the tail boom.

NTSB coding

• Loss of control in flight · Taxi
• Decision Making / Judgment

Evidence available

• Photos
• 4 docket documents

Docket documents4

• Party Form (Universal Helicopter)form
• Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (Flight Instructor)form
• Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (Student Pilot)form
• Accident Photosphotos

Related mishaps

• ROBINSON HELICOPTER R44

  2023-07-04 · Myrtle Beach, SC

• BELL 47D

  2021-01-01 · Marana, AZ

• ROBINSON HELICOPTER R22

  2017-08-29 · Sacramento, CA