Robinson R22 Beta II accident near Phoenix, Arizona, June 9, 2003
On June 9, 2003 at about 11:30 pm local time, a Robinson R22 Beta II (helicopter), registered N727DD, was substantially damaged in an accident near Phoenix, Arizona. It was an instructional flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The instructor's inadequate supervision and his failure to maintain aircraft control. The wind gusts were a factor.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 9, 2003 · about 11:30 pm local time
- Place
- Phoenix, Arizona · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Robinson R22 Beta II · all R22 Beta IIs on the register
- Registration
- N727DD · registry record · serial 3328
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
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.
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
Flight instructor
- Certificate: airline transport pilot, flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: airplane single-engine; instructor: helicopter; instructor: instrument airplane; instructor: instrument helicopter; instrument: airplane; instrument: helicopter; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 3,770 hours in all; 455 in this make and model; 156 in the last 90 days; 46 in the last 30 days; 1,808 as pilot in command; 669 on instruments
- Last flight review: October 22, 2002
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1,149 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection; 50 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,370 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-360-J2A (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: KSDL Scottsdale AZ at 11:00 pm
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 170° at 9 knots, gusting 17
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 99°F (37°C), dew point 36°F (2°C)
- Altimeter: 29.75 inHg
- Observation at 10:53 pm from KDVT
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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.