Helicopter Flight Information

NTSB Identification: MIA04CA059. The docket is stored on NTSB microfiche number DMS.
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Friday, March 12, 2004 in Keystone, FL
Aircraft: Robinson R22, registration: N4370D
Injuries: 2 Uninjured.

On March 12, 2004, about 0930 eastern standard time, a Robinson R22, N4370D, registered to and operated by Collective Helicopters Corporation, as a Title 14 CFR Part 91 instructional flight, rolled over while practicing maneuvers at the Keystone Airpark, Keystone Heights, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The instructor-rated pilot and student pilot received no injuries, and the helicopter incurred substantial damage. The flight originated from Keystone Airpark, Florida earlier that day.

The certified flight instructor stated that he had his student complete several steep turn maneuvers earlier in the practice session and decided to let him perform one more before returning back to the hangar. On the last steep turn the student lost more altitude then on previous maneuvers. According to the instructor he took over the controls; however, the helicopter touched down right skid lower than the left with forward left lateral movement resulting in the helicopter rolling over on to the ground. The flight instructor stated there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions to the helicopter or any of its systems prior to the accident.

Comment

I know this student personally, and he stated to me that he was never flying the aircraft. He was being given a demonstration of the capabilities of the R22 in agricultural application techniques. He stated that he was only following the control inputs. He further stated that he felt the instructor was trying to cover his ass with the above statement to the NTSB, and that it contradicted the statement given to the FAA in his presence. I believe him.

Prior to this accident the instructor held a pre-flight briefing with two students discussing the intent and content of the flight. He had briefed them on high performance maneuvers in preparation for the commercial check ride.

I spoke to the Chief Flight Instructor of a nearby school who is a friend of mine a couple of days after this accident. He has several thousand hours experience, including 2,000 hours helicopter. He had observed the flight technique of this instructor a day or two before the crash. He stated that this instructor had been flying very wildly claiming that he was using AG technique that his instructor had taught him using what is known in the military as RTT (return to target) maneuvers, which is common in AG technique but with obviously much better skill.

On another note, the report states the the helicopter was operated by Collective Helicopters, which it was not. It was however owned by Collective Helicopters, but leased to the flight school that was operating the aircraft.

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Last modified: 12/31/2011