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September 6, 2024 · Robinson Helicopter R44 · N896J

Grand Forks, ND

Overview

Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 6, 2024
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Grand Forks, ND
Aircraft
Robinson Helicopter R44 (2022)
Tail Number
N896J
Operator
University of North Dakota
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CEN24LA343

The flight instructor reported that she was teaching her student to hover as part of a flight lesson. She transferred the flight controls to her student but continued to monitor the cyclic, collective, and tail rotor controls. The helicopter drifted aft and to the right while pitching nose up, as the student increased aft cyclic. The flight instructor attempted to correct by increasing forward cyclic but the tail struck the ground. The flight instructor stated that the helicopter began to violently vibrate, and she heard a grinding noise. As she lowered the collective, the helicopter impacted the ground, and the right skid broke off. The helicopter rolled over and came to rest on its right side, sustaining substantial damage to the main rotor system, tail boom, and tail rotor system. The flight instructor reported that there were no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions that would have precluded normal operations.

NTSB Probable Cause

The student pilot’s failure to maintain helicopter control which resulted in impact with the ground. Contributing to the outcome was the flight instructor’s delayed remedial action.

Full Narrative

The flight instructor reported that she was teaching her student to hover as part of a flight lesson. She transferred the flight controls to her student but continued to monitor the cyclic, collective, and tail rotor controls. The helicopter drifted aft and to the right while pitching nose up, as the student increased aft cyclic. The flight instructor attempted to correct by increasing forward cyclic but the tail struck the ground. The flight instructor stated that the helicopter began to violently vibrate, and she heard a grinding noise. As she lowered the collective, the helicopter impacted the ground, and the right skid broke off. The helicopter rolled over and came to rest on its right side, sustaining substantial damage to the main rotor system, tail boom, and tail rotor system. The flight instructor reported that there were no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions that would have precluded normal operations.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time10:30 CDT
Nearest AirportGrand Forks International Airp (0nm N)
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftRobinson Helicopter R44
Tail NumberN896J
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageSubstantial
OperatorUniversity of North Dakota
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-540-FIB5 · Reciprocating · 260
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 19 · Second Class · None
Crew 2Age 21 · First Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind10° @ 9 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point61 F / 50 F
Altimeter30.31 inHg
Observation Time10:30
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data