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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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NTSB Report

September 23, 1994 · Robinson R-22 · N4001B

Chico, CA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 23, 1994
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Chico, CA
Aircraft
Robinson R-22
Tail Number
N4001B
Operator
Sierra Aviation
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX94LA374

THE STUDENT HELICOPTER PILOT RECEIVED SOME DUAL INSTRUCTION BEFORE BEGINNING HIS SECOND SUPERVISED SOLO FLIGHT. THE INSTRUCTOR REMINDED THE STUDENT PILOT THAT HE WOULD NEED MORE RIGHT CYCLIC CONTROL THAN HE WAS USED TO. ON LIFT-OFF, THE STUDENT APPLIED TOO MUCH CYCLIC CONTROL AND THE HELICOPTER BEGAN TO ROLL TO THE RIGHT. THE INSTRUCTOR OBSERVED THE STUDENT APPLY SOME LEFT CYCLIC, BUT NOT ENOUGH. THE RIGHT SKID DUG INTO THE GROUND AND THE HELICOPTER ROLLED OVER.

NTSB Probable Cause

the student pilot's improper use of the flight controls. The student pilot's lack of experience in the helicopter is a factor in this accident.

Full Narrative

On September 22, 1994, at 1830 hours Pacific daylight time, a Robinson R-22 helicopter, N4001B, rolled over and crashed shortly after lifting off at Ranchaero Airport, Chico, California. The certificated private pilot/helicopter student pilot was beginning his second supervised solo local area flight. The helicopter, operated by Sierra Aviation, Chico, California, sustained substantial damage. The pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The flight originated as a dual instructional flight at Ranchaero Airport at 1745 hours. National Transportation Safety Board investigators interviewed the student pilot's instructor via telephone on September 22, 1994. The instructor said that before beginning the second supervised solo he gave the student between 30 and 40 minutes of dual instruction. When the instructor deplaned the helicopter, he reminded the student that when he lifted off he would probably have to use more left cyclic than he was used to. The student pilot began the lift off. When the helicopter was light on the skids, the helicopter began to roll to the right. The instructor saw the student apply "some left cyclic, but not enough." The helicopter then yawed to the left and the right skid dug into the soft terrain. The helicopter's rotor blades then struck the terrain and the helicopter came to rest on its right side.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time18:30 PDT
Nearest AirportRanchaero (0nm)
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftRobinson R-22
Tail NumberN4001B
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
OperatorSierra Aviation
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-B2C · Reciprocating · 131
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind150° @ 6 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time00:45
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data