Pilot Debrief

Robinson Helicopter R22 Beta near Miamisburg, OH — 2021-11-19

Final reportCEN22LA041
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Date
2021-11-19
Location
Miamisburg, OH, USA
Airport
MGY
Aircraft
Robinson Helicopter R22 Beta
Registration
N221HG
Category
Helicopter
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

The student pilot’s failure to maintain control of the helicopter during a low-altitude hover shortly after liftoff.

NTSB narrative

The solo student pilot reported that, just after liftoff and in a low-altitude hover, the helicopter “swung” to the left. The student pilot reported that he “overcorrected” with right pedal and aft cyclic inputs. The helicopter began to spin, and the student pilot pulled up to keep from hitting the ground. The student pilot reported remembering hitting the ground and rolling the throttle off. A security video showed that shortly after the helicopter lifted off into a low altitude hover it yawed left about 90° and descended before it moved aft and momentarily out of the camera’s view. When it reemerged, the helicopter was in a right spin and impacted the ramp in an upright attitude. The aft tail boom and tail rotor sustained substantial damage. The student pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation. There was another small helicopter operating near the accident helicopter at the time of the accident, however it is unlikely that the rotor wash from the other helicopter would have precluded the student pilot’s ability to maintain control his helicopter.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents5

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