Pilot Debrief

ROBINSON HELICOPTER R22 BETA near Frederick, MD — 2014-05-01

Final reportERA14CA217
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Date
2014-05-01
Location
Frederick, MD, USA
Airport
FDK
Aircraft
ROBINSON HELICOPTER R22 BETA
Registration
N802CP
Category
Helicopter
Highest injury
Minor
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

The student pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the hover, and the flight instructors lack of remedial action, resulting in a dynamic rollover and structural damage to the helicopter.

NTSB narrative

According to the flight instructor, his student was practicing hover operations over a grassy area of the airport. This was the first flight in a helicopter for the student pilot. The helicopter drifted to the right while descending. The right skid contacted the grass and the helicopter rolled to the right and the main rotor blades contacted the ground. The helicopter continued to roll over and came to rest on its right side. An inspector from the Federal Aviation Administration examined the helicopter and confirmed substantial damage to the fuselage, tail boom, and main rotor blades. The pilots reported no pre-impact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents12

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