Pilot Debrief

Robinson R22 near Beeville, TX — 2019-12-19

Final reportCEN20LA037
Sign in to save
Date
2019-12-19
Location
Beeville, TX, USA
Airport
BEA
Aircraft
Robinson R22
Registration
N695AP
Category
Helicopter
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Takeoff roll

Probable cause

The solo student pilot's improper cyclic input during takeoff, which resulted in dynamic rollover.

NTSB narrative

The student pilot and flight instructor completed an instructional flight, after which the instructor exited the helicopter to watch the student conduct a solo flight. The instructor explained to the student that the helicopter was going to "pick up" differently without his weight onboard, like the student's initial solo flight the day before, and the student "concurred and understood." The instructor watched the helicopter take off from the dry asphalt; however, the helicopter was "sliding back and right" as it took off. The right rear skid tube contacted the ground, the student did not correct for the ground contact, and the helicopter entered a dynamic rollover sequence. The main rotor blades impacted the ground, and the helicopter came to rest on its right side. The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the main rotor system, fuselage, tailboom, and empennage. The flight instructor reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe and engine that would have precluded normal operation. It is likely that the student applied improper cyclic input during the takeoff, which resulted in the right rear skid tube contacting the ground and a subsequent dynamic rollover.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Loss of control
First missed decision gate
Student pilot could have corrected for ground contact during takeoff.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Photos
  • 5 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents5

Related mishaps