Location: Springfield, Missouri
Accident Number: CEN25LA063
Date & Time: December 21, 2024, 15:27
Local Registration: N3104U
Aircraft: ROBINSON HELICOPTER R22 BETA
Aircraft Damage: Destroyed
Defining Event: Loss of control on ground
Injuries: 1 Minor
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Instructional
Analysis
The student pilot reported having completed one flight around the airport traffic pattern with a flight instructor in preparation for the student pilot’s first solo flight. They then landed near a fixed base operator at the airport, and the flight instructor exited the helicopter. The student pilot took off and practiced hovering, hovering taxi, and flew three airport traffic patterns before returning to the grass area at the airport for additional hover and hover taxi practice. The windshield began to fog during the additional practice, so the student pilot landed the helicopter to turn the blower fan switch on, but did not engage the collective friction or reduce the engine power. The student pilot said he had never used the blower fan switch, and it took a couple of seconds to locate, during which time the helicopter rolled right, and the main rotor blades contacted the ground. The helicopter came to rest on its left side.
The blower fan switch is located near the floor between the pilot’s legs. The helicopter was destroyed by its impact with the ground. The student pilot stated there was no mechanical malfunctions/failures of the helicopter.
Probable Cause and Findings
The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
The student pilot’s failure to maintain control of the helicopter while turning on the blower fan switch after landing that resulted in a dynamic rollover sequence.
Findings
Aircraft (general) - Not attained/maintained
Factual Information
History of Flight
Standing-engine(s) operating - Miscellaneous/Other
Standing-engine(s) operating - Loss of control on ground (Defining event)
Standing-engine(s) operating - Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT)
Pilot Information
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Certificate:
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Commercial; Student
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Age:
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62,Male
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Airplane Rating(s):
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Single-engine land; Single-engine
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Seat Occupied:
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Right
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sea
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Other Aircraft Rating(s):
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Glider
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Restraint Used:
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3-point
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Instrument Rating(s):
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Airplane
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Second Pilot Present:
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No
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Instructor Rating(s):
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None
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Toxicology Performed:
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Medical Certification:
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Class 3 With waivers/limitations
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Last FAA Medical Exam:
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September 28, 2023
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Occupational Pilot:
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No
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Last Flight Review or Equivalent:
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January 20, 2023
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Flight Time:
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5300 hours (Total, all aircraft), 27.3 hours (Total, this make and model), 5100 hours (Pilot In
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Command, all aircraft)
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Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information
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Aircraft Make:
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ROBINSON HELICOPTER
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Registration:
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N3104U
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Model/Series:
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R22 BETA
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Aircraft Category:
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Helicopter
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Year of Manufacture:
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2006
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Amateur Built:
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Airworthiness Certificate:
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Normal
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Serial Number:
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4061
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Landing Gear Type:
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None; Skid
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Seats:
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2
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Date/Type of Last
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October 24, 2024 Annual
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Certified Max Gross Wt.:
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1370 lbs
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Inspection:
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|
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Time Since Last Inspection:
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Engines:
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1 Reciprocating
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Airframe Total Time:
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1254 Hrs at time of accident
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Engine Manufacturer:
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Lycoming
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ELT:
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Installed
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Engine Model/Series:
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O-360-J2A
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Registered Owner:
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On file
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Rated Power:
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145 Horsepower
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Operator:
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So Fly Flight Training
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Operating Certificate(s)
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None
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Academy, LLC
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Held:
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Meteorological Information and Flight Plan
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Conditions at Accident Site:
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Visual (VMC)
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Condition of Light:
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Day
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Observation Facility, Elevation:
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SGF
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Distance from Accident Site:
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6 Nautical Miles
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Observation Time:
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14:52 Local
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Direction from Accident Site:
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270°
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Lowest Cloud Condition:
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Clear
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Visibility
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10 miles
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Lowest Ceiling:
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None
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Visibility (RVR):
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Wind Speed/Gusts:
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/
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Turbulence Type
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/
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Forecast/Actual:
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Wind Direction:
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Turbulence Severity
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/
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Forecast/Actual:
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|
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Altimeter Setting:
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30.33 inches Hg
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Temperature/Dew Point:
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5°C / -7°C
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Precipitation and Obscuration:
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No Obscuration; No Precipitation
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Departure Point:
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Springfield, MO
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Type of Flight Plan Filed:
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None
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Destination:
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Springfield, MO
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Type of Clearance:
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None
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Departure Time:
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Type of Airspace:
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Class E
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Airport Information
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Airport:
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Downtown Airport 3DW
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Runway Surface Type:
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Airport Elevation:
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1375 ft msl
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Runway Surface Condition:
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Dry
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Runway Used:
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IFR Approach:
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None
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Runway Length/Width:
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VFR Approach/Landing:
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None
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Wreckage and Impact Information
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Crew Injuries:
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1 Minor
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Aircraft Damage:
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Destroyed
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Passenger
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N/A
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Aircraft Fire:
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None
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Injuries:
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|
|
|
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Ground Injuries:
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Aircraft Explosion:
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None
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Total Injuries:
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1 Minor
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Latitude,
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37,-93(est)
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|
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Longitude:
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|
Administrative Information
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Investigator In Charge (IIC):
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Gallo, Mitchell
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Additional Participating
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Nicholaus Orphan; Federal Aviation Administration, St. Louis Flight Standards District Office;
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Persons:
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Saint Ann, MO
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Original Publish Date:
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February 21, 2025
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Last Revision Date:
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Investigation Class:
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Class 4
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Note:
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The NTSB did not travel to the scene of this accident.
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Investigation Docket:
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https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=199464
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The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is an independent federal agency charged by Congress with investigating every civil aviation accident in the United States and significant events in other modes of transportation— railroad, transit, highway, marine, pipeline, and commercial space. We determine the probable causes of the accidents and events we investigate, and issue safety recommendations aimed at preventing future occurrences. In addition, we conduct transportation safety research studies and offer information and other assistance to family members and survivors for each accident or event we investigate. We also serve as the appellate authority for enforcement actions involving aviation and mariner certificates issued by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and US Coast Guard, and we adjudicate appeals of civil penalty actions taken by the FAA.
The NTSB does not assign fault or blame for an accident or incident; rather, as specified by NTSB regulation, “accident/incident investigations are fact-finding proceedings with no formal issues and no adverse parties … and are not conducted for the purpose of determining the rights or liabilities of any person” (Title 49 Code of Federal Regulations section 831.4). Assignment of fault or legal liability is not relevant to the NTSB’s statutory mission to improve transportation safety by investigating accidents and incidents and issuing safety recommendations. In addition, statutory language prohibits the admission into evidence or use of any part of an NTSB report related to an accident in a civil action for damages resulting from a matter mentioned in the report (Title 49 United States Code section 1154(b)). A factual report that may be admissible under 49 United States Code section 1154(b) is available here.
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