Aviation Accident Summary LAX04CA048

Chandler, AZ, USA

Aircraft #1

N7193J

Robinson R22

Analysis

The helicopter collided with the ground while hovering. The student was on his first solo flight. After flying about 1 hour with his certified flight instructor (CFI), the CFI got out of the helicopter and positioned himself a short distance away. As the student raised the collective, the helicopter began to tilt to the right. He attempted to correct with left cyclic, and the helicopter lifted off the ground. The helicopter was in an unstable hover and the tail rotor struck the surface, resulting in the helicopter yawing 180 degrees to the right. As it rotated, the main rotors struck the surface and the helicopter came to a stop. There were no mechanical malfunctions with the helicopter.

Factual Information

On November 18, 2003, at 1620 mountain standard time, a Robinson R22 helicopter, N7193J, collided with the ground while lifting into a hover at Chandler Municipal Airport (CHD), Chandler, Arizona. Quantum Helicopters, Inc., was operating the helicopter under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The student pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured; the helicopter sustained substantial damage. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. The flight was originating at the time. In a written statement, the student reported that this was his first solo flight. After flying about 1 hour with his certified flight instructor (CFI), the student's CFI got out of the helicopter and positioned himself a short distance away. As the student raised the collective, the helicopter began to tilt to the right. He attempted to correct with left cyclic, and the helicopter lifted off the ground. The helicopter was in an unstable hover and the tail rotor struck the surface, resulting in the helicopter yawing 180 degrees to the right. As it rotated, the main rotors struck the surface and the helicopter came to a stop. The student reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions with the helicopter.

Probable Cause and Findings

the student pilot's failure to maintain control of the helicopter while hovering. A factor to the accident was the student pilot's lack of experience.

 

Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database

Get all the details on your iPhone or iPad with:

Aviation Accidents App

In-Depth Access to Aviation Accident Reports