Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA accident near Caldwell, Idaho, August 13, 2015
On August 13, 2015 at about 10:35 pm local time, a 2006 Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA, registered N3103Q, was substantially damaged in an accident during landing (flare/touchdown) near Caldwell, Idaho (Caldwell Industrial airport). It was an instructional flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The helicopter flight instructor's delayed remedial action during an autorotation resulting in a loss of control and impact with terrain.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 13, 2015 · about 10:35 pm local time
- Place
- Caldwell, Idaho · Caldwell Industrial · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA BETA, built 2006 · all R22 BETAs on the register
- Registration
- N3103Q · no longer on the register · serial 4051
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
According to the flight instructor, while performing a simulated, right turn, 180 degree autorotation the helicopter impacted the ground and rolled over. The flight instructor stated that at 200 feet AGL, the low rotor RPM horn sounded, and he and the student pilot "attempted a recovery." The flight instructor reported that after hearing the low rotor RPM horn, but prior to impact, "a loud thumping noise could be heard and a violent shake in the cyclic could be felt." He stated that he chose to level the helicopter before it impacted the terrain and rolled. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the main rotor system, fuselage and tail boom. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical failures or anomalies prior to flight that would have prevented normal operation.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Autorotation Attempted remediation/recovery
- Abrupt maneuver during landing (flare/touchdown) defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during landing (flare/touchdown)
- Roll over during post (impact)
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Action/decision › Action › Delayed action › Instructor/check pilot
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Instructor/check pilot
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Prop/rotor parameters › Not attained/maintained
Flight instructor
- Certificate: flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: instructor: helicopter; instructor: instrument helicopter; instrument: helicopter; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 729 hours in all; 448 in this make and model; 218 in the last 90 days; 73 in the last 30 days; 630 as pilot in command; 452 on instruments
- Last flight review: December 19, 2014
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
Dual student
- Certificate: student
- Flight time: 64 hours in all; 64 in this make and model; 40 in the last 90 days; 17 in the last 30 days; 2 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 6,601.7 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, January 14, 2015; 25 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,370 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-360-J2A (piston); 4,425 hours total
- Operator: Silverhawk Aviation Academy LLC
The flight
- Departed from: EUL Caldwell ID at 9:10 pm
- Destination: EUL Caldwell ID
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 30, 5,500 ft by 100 ft
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 340° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 99°F (37°C), dew point 57°F (14°C)
- Altimeter: 29.88 inHg
- Observation at 10:35 pm from KEUL
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 2 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.