Summary
On October 02, 2019, a Robinson R44 (N4050X) was involved in an incident near Carlsbad, CA. All 2 people aboard were uninjured. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this incident to be: The student pilot's incorrect collective and cyclic applications during landing and the flight instructor's delayed remedial action, which resulted in a roll-over.
The flight instructor in the helicopter reported that, she provided takeoff and landing training from and to, a helicopter landing platform. During landing, the student pilot had control of the collective and the anti-torque pedals, and the flight instructor had maintained control of the cyclic.
The flight instructor asserted that during landing to the platform, "the student lowered the collective suddenly, and also pulled back up (on the collective) suddenly as well." Additionally, the student grabbed the cyclic and pulled aft, when he increased the collective. The helicopter bounced on the platform and "tilted backwards." The helicopter started to roll to its right side, and the instructor closed the throttle.
This incident is documented in NTSB report GAA20CA002. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N4050X.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The student pilot's incorrect collective and cyclic applications during landing and the flight instructor's delayed remedial action, which resulted in a roll-over.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Historical)
Analysis
The flight instructor in the helicopter reported that, she provided takeoff and landing training from and to, a helicopter landing platform. During landing, the student pilot had control of the collective and the anti-torque pedals, and the flight instructor had maintained control of the cyclic.
The flight instructor asserted that during landing to the platform, "the student lowered the collective suddenly, and also pulled back up (on the collective) suddenly as well." Additionally, the student grabbed the cyclic and pulled aft, when he increased the collective. The helicopter bounced on the platform and "tilted backwards." The helicopter started to roll to its right side, and the instructor closed the throttle. The helicopter rolled onto its right side and the main rotor blades struck the ground.
The helicopter sustained substantial damage to the main and tail rotor drive systems and the fuselage.
The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions 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# GAA20CA002