Pilot Debrief

ROBINSON HELICOPTER R22 BETA near Harlingen, TX — 2009-04-29

Final reportCEN09CA271
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Date
2009-04-29
Location
Harlingen, TX, USA
Aircraft
ROBINSON HELICOPTER R22 BETA
Registration
N2560Q
Category
Helicopter
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Ground

Probable cause

The pilot's decision to leave the helicopter unattended with the engine running in gusty wind conditions.

NTSB narrative

After landing the helicopter, the pilot set the cyclic and collective friction locks and left the helicopter "running" while he and his passenger disembarked the helicopter. After being left unattended for about two minutes, the helicopter began to lift-off and subsequently impacted terrain resulting in substantial damage. The pilot reported that the friction locks were still found engaged after the helicopter impacted the terrain. Winds in the vicinity of the accident were from the southeast at 21 gusting to 30 knots. According to the manufacturer, the cyclic and collective frictions are designed to allow the pilot to remove their hands from the controls to perform the cockpit portion of the preflight and post flight operations. A "caution" in the manufacturer's pilot operating handbook states, "Never leave helicopter flight controls unattended while engine is running." In addition the pilot operating handbook has a safety notice issued November 1984, which states, "Never exit helicopter with engine running. Several accidents have occurred when pilot momentarily left their helicopters unattended with the engine running and rotors turning. The collective can creep up, increasing both pitch and throttle, allowing the helicopter to lift off or roll out of control."

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Human factors
First missed decision gate
Pilot should not have left helicopter unattended with engine running.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 2 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents2

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