Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA N7516G accident near Gila Bend, Arizona

Probable cause

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

NTSB analysis

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.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ANC22FA030 for the full record.