Pilot Debrief

ROBINSON HELICOPTER COMPANY R44 II near Hemphill, TX — 2010-12-22

Final reportCEN11CA126
Sign in to save
Date
2010-12-22
Location
Hemphill, TX, USA
Aircraft
ROBINSON HELICOPTER COMPANY R44 II
Registration
N841SA
Category
Helicopter
Highest injury
Minor
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

The student pilot’s improper decision to carry an unauthorized passenger and the passenger’s loss of control of the helicopter during take-off.

NTSB narrative

According to a Federal Aviation Administration inspector, the helicopter’s owner, who held a student pilot certificate, flew with a passenger from a local airport to a lake house. Upon departure from the lake house, the passenger was at the controls of the helicopter. As the helicopter started to lift off from the ground, it made a sharp turn to the right. The student pilot added that he was unable to take the controls from the passenger and regain control of the helicopter. The helicopter’s tailrotor struck the ground and the helicopter subsequently rolled left and into the lake, where it sustained substantial damage to the fuselage, tailboom, main and tailrotor blades.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 1 docket document
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents1

Related mishaps