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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

January 24, 1994 · Robinson R-22 · N525BW

Naples, FL

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
January 24, 1994
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury), 1 uninjured
Location
Naples, FL
Aircraft
Robinson R-22
Tail Number
N525BW
Operator
London Helicoper
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
MIA94LA060

THE CERTIFIED FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR DEMONSTRATED A HOVERING AUTOROTATION, THEN HE INSTRUCTED THE STUDENT PILOT TO EXECUTE THE MANUEVER. THE STUDENT PILOT ATTEMPTED THE HOVERING AUTOROTATION BUT OPENED THE THROTTLE INSTEAD OF CLOSING THE THROTTLE AS REQUIRED. THE INSTUCTOR PILOT ATTEMPTED TO REGAIN CONTROL BUT THE STUDENT PILOT DID NOT RELINQUISH CONTROL. THE HELICOPTER PITCHED UP, ROTATED 360 DEGREES TO THE LEFT, STRUCK THE GROUND, THEN ROLLED OVER AND CAME TO REST ON ITS RIGHT SIDE.

NTSB Probable Cause

THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR'S DELAYED REACTION TO TAKE CONTROL OF THE HELICOPTER. CONTRIBUTING FACTORS WERE THE STUDENT PILOT'S IMPROPER USE OF CYCLIC AND COLLECTIVE CONTROLS AND HIS FAILURE TO RELEASE THE FLIGHT CONTROLS TO THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR.

Full Narrative

On January 24, 1994, about 1220 eastern standard time, N525BW, a Robinson R-22 Beta, operated by London Helicopters Inc. experienced a rollover while hovering on a 14 CFR Part 91 instructional flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The helicopter was substantially damaged and the instructor reported no injuries. The student pilot received minor injuries. The flight originated about 30 minutes earlier. The instructor pilot stated that they were practicing hovering autorotations and the student pilot executed the maneuver wrong. The student turned the throttle on instead of off, and then when requested would not release the flight controls. The right rear skid dug in the ground and the helicopter rolled over.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:20 EST
Nearest AirportNaples Municipal (0nm N)
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledCvfr
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftRobinson R-22
Tail NumberN525BW
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
OperatorLondon Helicoper
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-B2C · Reciprocating · 124
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury), 1 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured1
Total2
Crew 1Age 29 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDawn
Wind80° @ 8 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 18000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point55
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time17:20

Appendix: Source Data