Aircraft Accident/Incident Report

Phoenix, Arizona 85034
Monday, June 9, 2003 16:30 MST

NTSB Narrative Summary Released at Completion of Accident

The helicopter rolled over during a low altitude hover. This was the second instructional flight for the student. The certified flight instructor (CFI) and student were both on the controls, hovering approximately 5 feet above ground level (agl). The CFI was in control of the cyclic and the student was in control of the antitorque pedals and the collective. During the hover, the helicopter rolled to the right and collided with the ground, coming to rest on its side. No preimpact control anomalies with the helicopter were discovered. Winds were reported from 170 at 9 knots, gusting to 17 knots, just prior to the accident. A 3-foot-long drag mark in the dirt was noted, which led directly to the helicopter's right skid.

NTSB Probable Cause Narrative

The instructor's inadequate supervision and his failure to maintain aircraft control. The wind gusts were a factor.

Event Information

Type of Event Accident
Event Date 6/9/2003
Event Day of the Week Monday
Time of Event 1630
Event Time Zone Mountain Standard Time
Event City Phoenix
Event State ARIZONA
Event Country --
Zipcode of the event site 85034
Event Date Year 2003
Event Date Month 6
MidAir Collision Indicator No
On Ground Collision occurred ? No
Event Location Latitude 334118N
Event Location Longitude 1120457W
Event Location Airport --
Event Location Nearest Airport ID --
Indicates whether the acc/inc occurred off or on an airport Off Airport/Airstrip
Distance from airport in statute miles --
Degrees magnetic from airport --
Airport Elevation --
Weather Briefing Completeness Not pertinent
Investigator's weather source Weather Observation Facility
Time of the weather observation 1553 Mountain Standard Time
Direction of event from weather observation facility (degrees) --
Weather Observation Facility ID KDVT
Elevation of weather observation facility 1478
Distance of event from weather observation facility (units?) --
Time Zone of the weather observation MST
Lighting Conditions Day
Lowest Ceiling Height --
Lowest Non-Ceiling Height --
Sky/Lowest/Cloud Conditions Clear
Sky Condition for Lowest Ceiling None
Visibility Runway Visual Range (Feet) --
Visibility Runway Visual Value (Statute Miles) --
Visibility (Statute Miles) 10
Air Temperature at event time (in degrees celsius) 37
Dew Point at event time (in degress fahrenheit) 2
Wind Direction (degrees magnetic) 170
Variable Wind Indicator Wind direction could be determined
Wind Speed (knots) 9
Wind Velocity Indicator --
Wind Gust Indicator Gusting
Wind Gust (knots) 17
Altimeter Setting at event time (in. Hg) 29.75
Density Altitude (feet) --
Intensity of Precipitation --
METAR weather report --
Event Highest Injury None
On Ground, Fatal Injuries --
On Ground, Minor Injuries --
On Ground, Serious Injuries --
Injury Total Fatal --
Injury Total Minor --
Injury Total None 2
Injury Total Serious --
Injury Total All --
Investigating Agency NTSB
NTSB Docket Number (internal use) 16365
NTSB Notification Source FAA
NTSB Notification Date Jun 9 2003 12:00AM
NTSB Notification Time 1730
Fiche Number and/or location -used to find docket information DMS
Date of most recent change to record Sep 29 2004 1:02PM
User who most recently changed record NTSB\MONR
Basic weather conditions Visual Meteorological Cond
FAA District Office SDL-FSDO

Aircraft Involved

Aircraft #1

Aircraft Registration Number N727DD
NTSB Number LAX03LA189
Missing Aircraft Indicator --
Federal Aviation Reg. Part Part 91: General Aviation
Type of Flight Plan filed None
Flight plan Was Activated? No
Damage Substantial
Aircraft Fire None
Aircraft Explosion None
Aircraft Manufacturer's Full Name Robinson
Aircraft Model R22 Beta II
Aircraft Series Identifier --
Aircraft Serial Number 3328
Certified Max Gross Weight 1370
Aircraft Category Helicopter
Aircraft Registration Class U.S. Registered/U.S. Soil
Aircraft is a homebuilt? No
Flight Crew Seats --
Cabin Crew Seats --
Passenger Seats --
Total number of seats on the aircraft 2
Number of Engines 1
Fixed gear or retractable gear Fixed
Aircraft, Type of Last Inspection Annual
Date of Last Inspection --
Airframe hours since last inspection 50
Airframe Hours 1149
ELT Installed No
ELT Activated No
ELT Aided Location of Event Site No
ELT Type --
Aircraft Owner Name Universal Helicopters, Inc.
Aircraft Owner Street Address 14700 N Airport Suite 100
Aircraft Owner City Scottsdale
Aircraft Owner State AZ
Aircraft Owner Country USA
Aircraft Owner Zipcode 85260
Operator is an individual? No
Operator Name --
Operator Same as Owner? Yes
Operator Is Doing Business As --
Operator Address Same as Owner? Yes
Operator Street Address --
Operator City --
Operator State --
Operator Country --
Operator Zip code --
Operator Code --
Owner has at least one certificate None
Other Operator of large aircraft? --
Certified for Part 133 or 137 Operation --
Operator Certificate Number --
Indicates whether an air carrier operation was scheduled or not --
Indicates Domestic or International Flight --
Operator carrying Pax/Cargo/Mail --
Type of Flying (Per_Bus / Primary) Instructional
Second Pilot on Board --
Departure Point Same as Event No
Departure Airport Code KSDL
Departure City Scottsdale
Departure State AZ
Departure Country USA
Departure Time 1600
Departure Time Zone MST
Destination Same as Local Flt dest & departure same, accident can occur anywhere
Destination Airport Code --
Destination City --
Destination State --
Destination Country --
Specific Phase of Flight Hover
Report sent to ICAO? No
Evacuation occurred No
Date of most recent change to record Aug 9 2004 3:22PM
User who most recently changed record COOS
Since inspection or accident --
Event Location Runway Number and Location NA
Runway Length --
Runway Width --
Sight Seeing flight No
Air Medical Flight No
Medical Flight --