Summary
On July 13, 2009, a Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA (N211SH) was involved in an accident near Bedford, MA. The accident resulted in 1 minor injury, with 1 person uninjured out of 2 aboard. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this accident to be: The flight instructor's inadequate remedial action while conducting hover practice with a student pilot, which resulted in the helicopter rolling over when it contacted the ground.
According to the certificated flight instructor, he was performing hover practice with the student pilot in a grassy area beside a taxiway. During the practice, the helicopter climbed to approximately 20 feet above ground level, and then the instructor advised the student to position the helicopter at a lower altitude. The instructor stated that the helicopter began “a high rate of descent which [he] was unable to arrest prior to ground contact.” He also said that the helicopter developed a “dynamic rolling moment that full down collective was unable to stop.” The helicopter rolled and came to rest on its left side, substantially damaging the tail boom, skids, and main rotor.
This accident is documented in NTSB report ERA09CA401. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N211SH.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The flight instructor's inadequate remedial action while conducting hover practice with a student pilot, which resulted in the helicopter rolling over when it contacted the ground.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Historical)
Analysis
According to the certificated flight instructor, he was performing hover practice with the student pilot in a grassy area beside a taxiway. During the practice, the helicopter climbed to approximately 20 feet above ground level, and then the instructor advised the student to position the helicopter at a lower altitude. The instructor stated that the helicopter began “a high rate of descent which [he] was unable to arrest prior to ground contact.” He also said that the helicopter developed a “dynamic rolling moment that full down collective was unable to stop.” The helicopter rolled and came to rest on its left side, substantially damaging the tail boom, skids, and main rotor. The winds reported at the airport about the time of the accident were from 250 degrees at 13 knots gusting to 17 knots. The pilot did not report any mechanical anomalies with the helicopter.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# ERA09CA401