Pilot Debrief

ROBINSON HELICOPTER R22 BETA near Gila Bend, AZ — 2022-04-15

Final reportANC22FA030
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Date
2022-04-15
Location
Gila Bend, AZ, USA
Airport
E63
Aircraft
ROBINSON HELICOPTER R22 BETA
Registration
N7516G
Category
Helicopter
Highest injury
Fatal
Fatalities
1
Phase of flight
Approach

Probable cause

The student pilot’s failure to maintain control during the landing approach.

NTSB narrative

The solo student pilot was conducting a cross-country flight when it impacted the terrain 212 ft before the approach end of the runway at the destination airport. The helicopter then slid about 30 ft and came to rest on its right side. A witness located about 1/2 mile west of the accident site reported seeing the helicopter go down and stated that the rotor blades were rotating before the impact. Postaccident airframe and engine examinations revealed no evidence of any preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions that would have precluded normal operation. Given the upright orientation of the wreckage at impact, the significant damage to the underside of the fuselage, engine and skids, damage to the main rotor blades, coupled with the witness statement, were all consistent with a loss of control and a subsequent uncontrolled descent that resulted in the collision with terrain.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Loss of control

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Photos
  • 10 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents10

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