Robinson R22 Beta II accident near Tulare, California, February 27, 2007
On February 27, 2007, a Robinson R22 Beta II (helicopter), registered N199K, was substantially damaged in an accident near Tulare, California (Mefford Field Airport). 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 student pilot's improper use of the collective and cyclic control, which induced a dynamic rollover. Also causal was the certificated flight instructor's inadequate supervision and delayed remedial action.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- February 27, 2007
- Place
- Tulare, California · Mefford Field Airport · 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
- N199K · no longer on the register · serial 3529
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
During a practice hover autorotation, the helicopter touched down hard on the left skid and experienced a dynamic rollover. The certificated flight instructor (CFI) reported that the purpose of the flight was to conduct training for the student pilot (positioned in right seat). In an attempt to practice a hovering autorotation, the CFI rolled the throttle toward the idle position. In response, the student immediately raised the collective and did not input enough right pedal correction. The student additionally made an abrupt left cyclic input, resulting in the helicopter drifting left. The CFI assumed authority of the flight controls in attempt to arrest the high rate of descent and regain directional control. The helicopter stuck the ground hard on the left skid and rolled over. The CFI reported no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter prior to impact.
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: flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: instructor: helicopter; instrument: helicopter; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 725 hours in all; 325 in this make and model; 100 in the last 90 days; 50 in the last 30 days
- Medical certificate: Class 2
Dual student
- Flight time: 7 hours in all; 7 in this make and model
- Medical certificate: None
The aircraft
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-360 (piston); 0 hours total
- Operator: Blue Sky Aviation, Inc.
The flight
- Departed from: TLR Tulare CA at 3:00 pm
- Destination: TLR Tulare CA
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 145° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 8,000 ft
- Temperature: 59°F (15°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
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.