Robinson R22 BETA, Hillsboro Aero Academy LLC, N227SH: Accident occurred May 04, 2016 at Portland-Troutdale Airport (KTTD), Portland, Oregon

illsboro Aero Academy LLC: http://registry.faa.gov/N227SH

FAA Flight Standards District Office: FAA Portland FSDO-09

NTSB Identification: GAA16CA213
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Tuesday, May 03, 2016 in Troutdale, OR
Probable Cause Approval Date: 06/15/2016
Aircraft: ROBINSON HELICOPTER R22, registration: N227SH
Injuries: 2 Minor.

NTSB investigators used data provided by various entities, including, but not limited to, the Federal Aviation Administration and/or the operator and did not travel in support of this investigation to prepare this aircraft accident report.

The flight instructor reported that he was practicing hover flight in a helicopter over soft grass at a height of 5 to 7 feet above the ground with a student pilot on his second training flight. The flight instructor further reported that he was controlling the collective and anti-torque pedals, and the student pilot was controlling the cyclic control. During the hover, the flight instructor reported that he became fixated on the manifold pressure gauge and did not notice that the helicopter was moving forward and descending. Subsequently, the helicopter's right skid impacted the ground and rolled over. 

The main rotor drive shaft and tailboom were substantially damaged. 

The flight instructor did not report any mechanical malfunctions or failures with the helicopter that would have precluded normal operation.

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident as follows:
The flight instructor's failure to monitor outside the helicopter during hover flight, which resulted in a collision with terrain and rollover.