N7197Z

Substantial
None

ROBINSON HELICOPTER R22 BETAS/N: 3249

Accident Details

Date
Friday, May 20, 2011
NTSB Number
CEN11CA351
Location
Lansing, IL
Event ID
20110523X20625
Coordinates
41.534721, -87.529441
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
Highest Injury
None
Fatalities
0
Serious Injuries
0
Minor Injuries
0
Uninjured
1
Total Aboard
1

Probable Cause and Findings

The student pilot’s failure to maintain control of the helicopter while hovering.

Aircraft Information

Registration
Make
ROBINSON HELICOPTER
Serial Number
3249
Engine Type
Reciprocating
Year Built
2001
Model / ICAO
R22 BETAR22
Aircraft Type
Rotorcraft
No. of Engines
1
Seats
2
FAA Model
R22 BETA

Registered Owner (Current)

Name
AERO TECH ACADEMY INC
Address
1745 SESSUMS DR
City
REDLANDS
State / Zip Code
CA 92374-1910
Country
United States

Analysis

The student pilot reported that it was his first solo helicopter flight. He performed two takeoffs and landings with his instructor on board, and then the instructor pilot got out of the helicopter. The student pilot took off, flew a normal traffic pattern, and made a successful full stop landing. He taxied off the runway and set the helicopter back down on the taxiway. He lifted off the ground again into a hover and started to taxi to the ramp where the instructor pilot was located. The instructor pilot reported that he observed the student pilot lose control of the helicopter as he was doing a pedal turn to the left. The helicopter did a “massive yaw, pitch, and roll.” It hit the ground on its aft skids, bending the aft skid tube. It bounced up, rolled left in a nose high attitude, and the tail rotor struck the ground. The operator reported that there was no mechanical malfunction or failure of 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# CEN11CA351