N7001Z

On July 2, 2003, at 1545 eastern daylight time, a Robinson R-22, N7001Z, was substantially damaged when it impacted the ground while conducting a hovering takeoff at a private helipad in West Liberty, Ohio. The certificated flight instructor (CFI) received serious injuries, and the student pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local instructional flight. No flight plan was filed, and the flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.

The CFI stated that he and his student were practicing hover maneuvers at a private helipad. The CFI instructed the student pilot to bring the helicopter to a 3-foot hover and perform a 180 degree turn. As the student pilot turned the helicopter, the left skid came in contact with the ground and the helicopter began to roll. The student pilot over corrected for the sudden change in attitude, and the main rotor blades struck the ground. The rotor blades abruptly stopped and the helicopter came to rest on its left side.

The CFI and student pilot added that they did not experience any mechanical malfunctions with the airframe or engine prior to the accident.

Examination of the wreckage by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector revealed damage to the main rotor blades, the tail rotor blades, and the fuselage.

The CFI reported 5,375 hours of total flight experience in rotorcraft, which include 4,300 hours in the same make and model as the accident helicopter. The student pilot reported 4 hours of total flight experience in the same make and model of the accident helicopter.

A weather observation taken at the Dayton International Airport, located about 30 miles southwest of the private helipad, about the time of the accident, recorded the winds from 100 degrees at 7 knots, sky conditions clear, visibility 9 statute miles, temperature 78 degrees Fahrenheit, dew point temperature 68 degrees Fahrenheit, altimeter setting of 30.08 inches of Hg, and a density altitude of 993 feet msl.