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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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NTSB Report

November 8, 1994 · Robinson R-22B · N317GB

Mc Cordsville, IN

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
November 8, 1994
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Mc Cordsville, IN
Aircraft
Robinson R-22B
Tail Number
N317GB
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI95LA034

THE PILOT HELD A PRIVATE CERTIFICATE FOR SINGLE ENGINE LAND AIRPLANES AND WAS PILOTING THE HELICOPTER ON A SUPERVISED SOLO FLIGHT AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. HE REPORTED THAT HE HAD 307 HOURS IN AIRPLANES AND 23 HOURS IN THE HELICOPTER WITH ONE HOUR SOLO, AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. HE STATED THAT ON INITIAL TAKEOFF ADJACENT TO RUNWAY 25, HE WAS AWARE OF AN AIRPLANE DEPARTING ON RUNWAY 25 AND WHEN IT CAME INTO HIS SIGHT, HIGH AND TO HIS LEFT, HE TURNED TO CONFIRM ITS PRESENCE. WHEN HE TURNED BACK, HE FOUND THAT HE HAD ALLOWED THE HELICOPTER TO PITCH NOSE HIGH AND RESPONDED BY MOVING THE CYCLIC CONTROL FORWARD. HE DESCRIBED LOSING CONTROL OF THE HELICOPTER AND HE WAS ABLE TO RECOVER TO A NEAR LEVEL CONDITION AT TOUCHDOWN. THE HELICOPTER TOUCHED DOWN HARD AND ROLLED ONTO ITS RIGHT SIDE.

NTSB Probable Cause

the pilot's improper use of the cyclic control. Factors were the diversion of attention and total lack of experience in the type of aircraft, by the pilot.

Full Narrative

On November 8, 1994, at 1638 eastern standard time, a Robinson Helicopter R22 Beta, N317GB, registered to Indianapolis Helicopter, and flown by a private (airplane) pilot, experienced a departure from controlled flight and impacted the terrain on takeoff from adjacent to runway 25 at Mount Comfort Airport, Mc Cordsville, Indiana. The helicopter sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported no injuries. The local solo instructional flight was operating under provisions of 14 CFR Part 91 in visual meteorological conditions. No flight plan was on file. The flight was on departure at the time of the accident. The pilot stated that he knew that an airplane was about to depart runway 25 and when it came into his sight high and to his left, he turned his head to confirm its presence. On looking back he realized that he had allowed the helicopter to pitch nose up. In response to this attitude his reaction was "... to pitch over the nose, which induced a low 'g' situation which progressed immediately and very violently into a right snap roll and loss of control." He was able to level the helicopter just prior to a hard touchdown and the helicopter rolled over onto its right side. The pilot held a private pilot's certificate with privileges for single engine land airplanes. He reported that he had 307 hours in fixed wing airplanes. He was receiving training in the accident helicopter and was flying a supervised solo flight at the time of the accident. According to the pilot's statement, he had 23 hours total experience in the helicopter and one hour of solo flight at the time of the accident.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:38 EST
Nearest AirportMount Comfort (0nm)
Runway25
Runway Length5500 ft
Runway Width250 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftRobinson R-22B
Tail NumberN317GB
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-B2C · Reciprocating · 160
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 41 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind210° @ 8 kt
Visibility13 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 13000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point61 F / 50
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time21:54
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data