Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA II accident near North Las Vegas, Nevada, March 11, 2011
On March 11, 2011 at about 10:50 pm local time, a Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA II, registered N8360T, was substantially damaged in an accident during maneuvering (hover) near North Las Vegas, Nevada (North Las Vegas 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 partial loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. Contributing to the accident was the certified flight instructor's decision to continue the flight after the helicopter exhibited inadequate performance capabilities and an unresolved power production issue.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- March 11, 2011 · about 10:50 pm local time
- Place
- North Las Vegas, Nevada · North Las Vegas · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA II · all R22 BETA IIs on the register
- Registration
- N8360T · no longer on the register · serial 2758
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
While conducting the pre-takeoff check of the right magneto, the certified flight instructor (CFI) determined that the drop in the helicopter's engine rpm remained within operational limits during the required two-second check period, but that it continued to drop significantly for a short period thereafter. A second check sequence produced the same results. Although concerned, the CFI continued the instructional flight, whereupon he determined that maneuvering the helicopter was taking considerably more power than he was accustomed to. About 30 minutes into the flight, the CFI landed the helicopter to once again check the right magneto because of the apparent lack of performance. The results showed the same excessive post-check rpm drop. After lifting the helicopter back airborne, and returning control to the student in a low hover, the helicopter suddenly descended, contacting the surface with one skid. The CFI then took control of the helicopter, but was unable to keep it from rolling onto its side. A postaccident test and disassembly inspection of the helicopter's magnetos and ignition system did not reveal a reason for the rpm drop or the reduction in performance.
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
- Loss of engine power (partial) during maneuvering (hover) defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during maneuvering (hover)
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Power plant › (general) › Not specified
- factor Personnel issues › Action/decision › Info processing/decision › Decision making/judgment › Instructor/check pilot
Flight instructor
- Certificate: flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: instructor: helicopter; instructor: instrument helicopter; instrument: helicopter; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 843 hours in all; 706 in this make and model; 153 in the last 90 days; 71 in the last 30 days; 743 as pilot in command; 523 on instruments
- Last flight review: July 3, 2009
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
Crew member
- Flight time: 2 hours in all; 2 in this make and model; 2 in the last 90 days; 2 in the last 30 days
- Medical certificate: None
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 556 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, March 7, 2011
- Maximum gross weight: 1,370 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-360-J2A (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: KVGT North Las Vegas NV at 10:00 pm
- Destination: KVGT North Las Vegas NV
- Flight plan: none
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 210° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 79°F (26°C), dew point 27°F (-3°C)
- Altimeter: 29.86 inHg
- Observation at 10:53 pm from KVGT, 5 miles away
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.
Other NTSB records under N8360T the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
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.