N802CPROBINSON HELICOPTER R22 BETA2014-05-01 NTSB Accident Report

Substantial
Minor

ROBINSON HELICOPTER R22 BETAS/N: 2270

Summary

On May 01, 2014, a Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA (N802CP) was involved in an accident near Frederick, MD. The accident resulted in 2 minor injuries. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.

The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this accident to be: The student pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the hover, and the flight instructors lack of remedial action, resulting in a dynamic rollover and structural damage to the helicopter.

According to the flight instructor, his student was practicing hover operations over a grassy area of the airport. This was the first flight in a helicopter for the student pilot. The helicopter drifted to the right while descending. The right skid contacted the grass and the helicopter rolled to the right and the main rotor blades contacted the ground. The helicopter continued to roll over and came to rest on its right side. An inspector from the Federal Aviation Administration examined the helicopter and confirmed substantial damage to the fuselage, tail boom, and main rotor blades. The pilots reported no pre-impact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.

This accident is documented in NTSB report ERA14CA217. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N802CP.

Accident Details

Date
Thursday, May 1, 2014
NTSB Number
ERA14CA217
Location
Frederick, MD
Event ID
20140502X90759
Coordinates
39.417499, -77.374443
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
Highest Injury
Minor
Fatalities
0
Serious Injuries
0
Minor Injuries
2
Uninjured
0
Total Aboard
2

Probable Cause and Findings

The student pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the hover, and the flight instructors lack of remedial action, resulting in a dynamic rollover and structural damage to the helicopter.

Aircraft Information

Registration
Make
ROBINSON HELICOPTER
Serial Number
2270
Engine Type
Reciprocating
Year Built
1993
Model / ICAO
R22 BETAR22
Aircraft Type
Rotorcraft
No. of Engines
1

Registered Owner (Historical)

Name
ADVANCED HELICOPTER CONCEPTS INC
Address
330 AVIATION WAY
Status
Deregistered
City
FREDERICK
State / Zip Code
MD 21701-4794
Country
United States

Analysis

According to the flight instructor, his student was practicing hover operations over a grassy area of the airport. This was the first flight in a helicopter for the student pilot. The helicopter drifted to the right while descending. The right skid contacted the grass and the helicopter rolled to the right and the main rotor blades contacted the ground. The helicopter continued to roll over and came to rest on its right side. An inspector from the Federal Aviation Administration examined the helicopter and confirmed substantial damage to the fuselage, tail boom, and main rotor blades. The pilots reported no pre-impact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.

Data Source

Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# ERA14CA217