Primary finding
Probable cause
The student pilot's failure to adequately compensate for the crosswind conditions and to maintain directional control.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The student pilot was performing a supervised solo traffic pattern after completing three successful patterns with a Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) on runway 33. The three practice patterns with the CFI had been done to determine wind effects and aptitude of the student on this day. As the student pilot completed his first solo traffic pattern and was coming into a hover he encountered a left crosswind from 250 degrees at 10 knots, and the helicopter yawed left and spun 1 1/4 turns. The helicopter then descended to a hard landing. The student and the instructor said there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures.
Source record
Factual narrative
On September 14, 2007, about 1153 Pacific daylight time, a Robinson R22 Beta II, N132SH, landed hard at Metropolitan Oakland International Airport, Oakland, California. Silver State Helicopters was operating the helicopter under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The student pilot was not injured; the helicopter sustained substantial damage. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. The student pilot was performing a supervised solo traffic pattern after completing three successful patterns with a Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) on runway 33. The three practice patterns with the CFI had been done to determine wind effects and aptitude of the student on this day. As the student pilot completed his first traffic pattern and was coming into a hover he encountered a left crosswind from 250 degrees at 10 knots, and the helicopter yawed left and spun 1 1/4 turns. The helicopter then descended to a hard landing. The student and the instructor said there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures.