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NTSB Final Report: Nashua, NH

Location:

Nashua, New Hampshire

Accident Number:

ERA22LA236

Date & Time:

May 23, 2022, 10:41 Local

Registration:

N666U

Aircraft:                                        ROBINSON HELICOPTER COMPANY R44 II

Aircraft Damage:               Substantial

Defining Event:                           Loss of control in flight                              

Injuries:                                2 Minor

Flight Conducted Under:        Part 91: General aviation - Instructional

Analysis

The private pilot was receiving a checkout in the helicopter from the flight instructor, and they were practicing pick-ups and touchdowns on the non-movement area of the airport. The flight instructor was demonstrating a pick-up to the pilot when the helicopter rolled left (due to a wind gust) and reached an angle where the instructor described that he was unable to recover, resulting in a dynamic rollover. The fuselage and main rotor were substantially damaged during the accident. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures of the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation, nor did the flight instructor report any.

Probable Cause and Findings

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be: The flight instructor’s failure to maintain control of the helicopter during the takeoff, which resulted in a dynamic rollover.

Findings

Personnel issues - Aircraft control - Instructor/check pilot

Aircraft - Lateral/bank control - Not attained/maintained


Factual Information

History of Flight

Takeoff - Loss of control in flight (Defining event)

Takeoff - Dynamic rollover

Pilot Information

Certificate:

Private

Age:

63,Male

Airplane Rating(s):

Single-engine land

Seat Occupied:

Right

Other Aircraft Rating(s):

Helicopter

Restraint Used:

3-point

Instrument Rating(s):

None

Second Pilot Present:

Yes

Instructor Rating(s):

None

Toxicology Performed:

 

Medical Certification:

Class 2 With waivers/limitations

Last FAA Medical Exam:

January 6, 2022

Occupational Pilot:

No

Last Flight Review or Equivalent:

April 2, 2022

Flight Time:

259 hours (Total, all aircraft), 33 hours (Total, this make and model), 67 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 20 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 6 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft), 1 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft)

Flight instructor Information

Certificate:

Commercial; Flight instructor

Age:

Male

Airplane Rating(s):

 

Seat Occupied:

Left

Other Aircraft Rating(s):

Helicopter

Restraint Used:

3-point

Instrument Rating(s):

 

Second Pilot Present:

Yes

Instructor Rating(s):

Helicopter

Toxicology Performed:

 

Medical Certification:

Class 2 With waivers/limitations

Last FAA Medical Exam:

 

Occupational Pilot:

Yes

Last Flight Review or Equivalent:

 

Flight Time:

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make:

ROBINSON HELICOPTER COMPANY

Registration:

N666U

Model/Series:

R44 II

Aircraft Category:

Helicopter

Year of Manufacture:

2004

Amateur Built:

 

Airworthiness Certificate:

Normal

Serial Number:

10476

Landing Gear Type:

None; Emergency float; Skid

Seats:

4

Date/Type of Last Inspection:

March 22, 2022 Annual

Certified Max Gross Wt.:

2500 lbs

Time Since Last Inspection:

19 Hrs

Engines:

1 Reciprocating

Airframe Total Time:

1907 Hrs as of last inspection

Engine Manufacturer:

Lycoming

ELT:

C126 installed, activated, did not aid in locating accident

Engine Model/Series:

IO-540

Registered Owner:

 

Rated Power:

245 Horsepower

Operator:

On file

Operating Certificate(s) Held:

None

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site:

Visual (VMC)

Condition of Light:

Day

Observation Facility, Elevation:

ASH,200 ft msl

Distance from Accident Site:

0 Nautical Miles

Observation Time:

14:56 Local

Direction from Accident Site:

77°

Lowest Cloud Condition:

Clear

Visibility

10 miles

Lowest Ceiling:

None

Visibility (RVR):

 

Wind Speed/Gusts:

11 knots /

Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual:

None / None

Wind Direction:

330°

Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual:

N/A / N/A

Altimeter Setting:

30.17 inches Hg

Temperature/Dew Point:

22°C / 2°C

Precipitation and Obscuration:

No Obscuration; No Precipitation

 

Departure Point:

Nashua, NH

Type of Flight Plan Filed:

None

Destination:

Nashua, NH

Type of Clearance:

None

Departure Time:

Type of Airspace:

Class D

Airport Information

Airport:

Boire Field Airport ASH

Runway Surface Type:

 

Airport Elevation:

200 ft msl

Runway Surface Condition:

Dry

Runway Used:

 

IFR Approach:

None

Runway Length/Width:

 

VFR Approach/Landing:

None

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries:

2 Minor

Aircraft Damage:

Substantial

Passenger Injuries:

N/A

Aircraft Fire:

None

Ground Injuries:

N/A

Aircraft Explosion:

None

Total Injuries:

2 Minor

Latitude, Longitude:

42.782397,-71.520674(est)

Administrative Information

Investigator In Charge (IIC):

Wentz, Peter

Additional Participating Persons:

Justin Gierka; FAA - FSDO; Portland, ME

 

Original Publish Date:

February 23, 2023                                                  Investigation Class:

4

Note:

The NTSB did not travel to the scene of this accident.

 

Investigation Docket:

https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=105122

 

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Created 222 days ago
by Admin

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