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July 2, 2003 · Robinson R-22 · N7001Z

West Liberty, OH

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 2, 2003
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury), 1 uninjured
Location
West Liberty, OH
Aircraft
Robinson R-22
Tail Number
N7001Z
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
NYC03LA147

While conducting hovering maneuvers, the certified flight instructor (CFI) instructed the student pilot to bring the helicopter to a 3-foot hover and perform a 180 degree turn. As the student began to turn the helicopter, the left skid came in contact with the ground and the helicopter began to roll. The student pilot over corrected for the sudden change in attitude, and the main rotor blades struck the ground. The helicopter came to rest on its left side.

NTSB Probable Cause

The student pilots failure to maintain directional control while hovering, and the CFI's delayed remedial action.

Full Narrative

On July 2, 2003, at 1545 eastern daylight time, a Robinson R-22, N7001Z, was substantially damaged when it impacted the ground while conducting a hovering takeoff at a private helipad in West Liberty, Ohio. The certificated flight instructor (CFI) received serious injuries, and the student pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local instructional flight. No flight plan was filed, and the flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. The CFI stated that he and his student were practicing hover maneuvers at a private helipad. The CFI instructed the student pilot to bring the helicopter to a 3-foot hover and perform a 180 degree turn. As the student pilot turned the helicopter, the left skid came in contact with the ground and the helicopter began to roll. The student pilot over corrected for the sudden change in attitude, and the main rotor blades struck the ground. The rotor blades abruptly stopped and the helicopter came to rest on its left side. The CFI and student pilot added that they did not experience any mechanical malfunctions with the airframe or engine prior to the accident. Examination of the wreckage by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector revealed damage to the main rotor blades, the tail rotor blades, and the fuselage. The CFI reported 5,375 hours of total flight experience in rotorcraft, which include 4,300 hours in the same make and model as the accident helicopter. The student pilot reported 4 hours of total flight experience in the same make and model of the accident helicopter. A weather observation taken at the Dayton International Airport, located about 30 miles southwest of the private helipad, about the time of the accident, recorded the winds from 100 degrees at 7 knots, sky conditions clear, visibility 9 statute miles, temperature 78 degrees Fahrenheit, dew point temperature 68 degrees Fahrenheit, altimeter setting of 30.08 inches of Hg, and a density altitude of 993 feet msl.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:45 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftRobinson R-22
Tail NumberN7001Z
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-360-J2A · Reciprocating · 180
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury), 1 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total2
Crew 1Age 69 · Second Class · Serious
Crew 2None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind100° @ 7 kt
Visibility9 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point68 F
Altimeter30.07 inHg
Observation Time18:45
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data