N211SH

Substantial
Minor

ROBINSON HELICOPTER R22 BETAS/N: 3992

Accident Details

Date
Monday, July 13, 2009
NTSB Number
ERA09CA401
Location
Bedford, MA
Event ID
20090713X62731
Coordinates
42.469722, -71.288887
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
Highest Injury
Minor
Fatalities
0
Serious Injuries
0
Minor Injuries
1
Uninjured
1
Total Aboard
2

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

Registration
N211SH
Make
ROBINSON HELICOPTER
Serial Number
3992
Engine Type
Reciprocating
Year Built
2005
Model / ICAO
R22 BETAR22
Aircraft Type
Rotorcraft
No. of Engines
1

Registered Owner (Historical)

Name
PLANE NONSENSE INC
Address
227 MARINERS WAY
Status
Deregistered
City
BEAR
State / Zip Code
DE 19701-2295
Country
United States

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