N2302A

On November 21, 2006, about 1510 eastern standard time, a Robinson R22, N2302A, registered to an individual and operated by Elite Flying & Management Service, Inc., rolled over at the Lakeland Linder Regional Airport, Lakeland, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the Title 14 CFR Part 91 instructional flight. The airline transport-rated pilot/certified flight instructor and passenger reported minor injuries, and the helicopter incurred substantial damage. The flight was originating at the time.

The certified flight instructor stated that he was giving demo discovery flights. He had just landed. The first passenger got out. The second passenger got into the helicopter and buckled up. He started to depart. The helicopter came off of the ground about 2 inches, rolled to the left and as it began to roll, he put the collective down and rolled the throttle off. Cyclic consistently went to the left even though he was trying to pull it back to the right. The helicopter would not move to the right. The helicopter continued the left roll until contacting the ground, damaging the skids, rotor blades, and tail boom.

The responding FAA inspector stated that the certified flight instructor said the helicopter was used in a Title 14 CFR part 61 flight school, which also gives rides to those who wanted the experience of flying in a helicopter. During the accident flight, he picked the aircraft up to a hover and felt the aircraft moving to the left. He then asked the passenger if she was pushing the cyclic left and her response was no. The passenger stated to the FAA inspector, when interviewed, that her left leg was not near enough to the center post of the cyclic to touch it and the pilot (flight instructor) didn't say anything during the take off. She added that the pilot had both hands on the stick on his left (collective) and he grabbed the control (cyclic) as the helicopter lifted off the ground. Cyclic, collective and tail rotor control continuity was established by the FAA inspector during a post accident examination of the helicopter.